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The Devil's TriangleChapter 1- Home Sweet Home"Jesus, that was a long trip." Mickey huffed as he walked towards his house, where Mandy was sitting in his rocking chair like she owned the place. "You realize this is my house, right?"Mandy nodded quickly but he could see her eyes were a little wide, her tanned skin a few shades paler than what it should be living in Florida for the last ten years. Something was up, she looked freaked.Mickey set his gear down on the porch, smelling like salt water and the overwhelming stench of fresh fish and bent down a little to get her to meet his eyes. "You okay?" Mandy shook her head no. "Didn't smoke too much of that weed Iggy grew, did you? I told you that was some serious shit."Mandy blinked up at him, mouth opening and closing a few times before the words came out. "No, Mick, I didn't smoke anything."This was not the time for her fucking drama shit. He had been working for the last three month's straight, covering over 3,000 miles from Florida to Bermuda to Puerto Rico, then back to Florida, their home base. Yes...his route was the damn Bermuda Triangle, deadly, dangerous and mysterious. Not many people wanted his route and he was happier for it.Being a fisherman these days wasn't as easy as it had been ten years ago. The demand was a lot higher so they hired more people to work the waters, giving them their own slice of paradise with a main focus on what to fish. Everyone kept to their own, most of the time but every now and then there were those who hunted for more than just fish…It wasn’t home often, maybe a week or two at a time if he was lucky. Time to repair his boat from whatever had broken down during that voyage, which was always something. Had to make repairs and restock and find out what storms were coming and when, so he could get his crew together, after seeing their family’s again, and start another three months at sea.It wasn’t a life for everyone and for men and women with families and kids, it was a lot harder, but the life was for him. Mickey had a million jobs in his years and fishing was the only thing that made him happy. It made the big bucks so he could afford a nice house on the beach. So he didn’t have to worry about money. Yeah, it was dangerous, but life wasn’t without risk.He belonged to the sea.Mickey rubbed tired, blistered hands over his face and bent down to her eye level. She looked off. "Mandy, it's been a long trip, I don't have the energy to guess at what's wrong. Just tell me and I'll deal with it."Mandy nodded, hesitating to find out how to say it. "I was doin the books in the lighthouse earlier when I saw something on the beach." She paused, eyes wide remembering. "I saw it, but I knew it had to be fake because they are really, really rare, Mick. Like only five have been seen before."This is not what he expected her to say, and she wasn't scared like he thought. But shocked, speechless. In awe of whatever it was. "Okay, did you go down and check?" Mickey asked. Mandy nodded. "What did you see then?""Blood, I saw blood." Mandy tucked her hair behind her ear. "I thought maybe someone got hurt; a boat or a shark or something. I followed the blood and saw it...or him?" Mandy asked, head tilted to the side. "I think it was a him."It? What was she talking about? Mickey didn't comment immediate but watched every possible emotion flow across her face. Like whatever it was, she didn't quite believe it either. Like she was trying to convince herself as well as him."Did someone get hurt, Mandy?" He asked outright.She nodded. "He was sitting by that big rock pile on the east bank, that rocky ass place, the one where I split my foot open last year?" She asked and he nodded, knowing where it was. "Whatever it was, something sharp was hooked in his tail, I could see the blood dripping into the water.Mickey narrowed his eyes. "Did you just say tail?" He asked in disbelief, not because what she was describing was fake, but it was ludicrous to find one so close. Nearly impossible really. Someone had better luck winning the lottery five times in a row then for what she saw to actually be that close."Yes Mick, a damn tail." She huffed, crossing her arms at his surprised tone. "I know how stupid it sounds but I saw it, I saw HIM. He was bleeding and afraid and he took off when I tried to help him. Trust me, I know how stupid it sounds but that’s what I saw and I don’t lie about shit like that, or at all.”That was very true. Mandy said the truth even when it hurt. Even when you’d wish she’d lie to you. But that wasn’t who she was. But there was no way she was serious, not even with that over serious, pissed off look she gave him when he was being an idiot, he’d seen that look many, many times in their life. He stood, laughing as he leaned against the deck."It was probably one of those geeks from that Sea Life program they just opened." Mickey suggested seriously. "I've seen them do that weird shit before. They always make people believe in everything they see and always have an excuse for it. Even when there never is. It’s a hoax."Mandy stood, arms crossed, glaring at him. "I know what I saw, Mickey. Trust me. I've spent the last two hours trying to come up with an explanation as to what it was and I can't find anything aside from the truth. I wouldn’t even bother telling you or anyone else unless it was real and it was. I wasn’t drunk or high or anything. I know what I saw."By her tone, he was inclined to believe her but he couldn't. There had been many people claim to have seen them before and it was always a hoax. There were only five known sightings; two had been dead upon arrival, one had died trying to capture it and the other two were now being kept prisoners. Put on display in the owners house, showing it off like you would a shiny trophy, a bear head, or a buck, or a collection of classic cars. Something to show off and flaunt.All his time on the ocean, he had never seen one. A mermaid. Or merman, a male version of a mermaid. He’d never seen one. Ever.Just saying it out loud screamed little girl fairytale but they were real. Either too hard to find or close to extinction, but very real. People had been hunting them, seeking them out since that first sighting nearly six years ago. It turned the world upside down, discovering that the mythic creatures were real. Everyone wanted to be involved, everyone wanted a piece, to be included in history."I saw a mermaid, Mickey," Mandy softened her voice, "or merman, whatever the hell the guy version is called. But I saw it. You can try and convince me that I didn’t but there is no way I can believe that. I was there. I know what I saw. And I don’t care if it sounds insane.”Mickey turned back to face her, arms crossed, face lacking all excitement or enthusiasm. He believed that if you could see it, touch it, hear it, smell it or taste it, it was real. The wind yes, God-debatable, and mermaids? No. He wasn't the type to believe they had gotten so lucky as to find one."Any proof?" He asked, ignoring her scowl to give one of his own.Mandy nodded and dug into her pocket. "I had my phone out, ready to call 911 if it had been a shark or something." She scrolled quickly, looking for the group of pictures. "I took what I could because as I said, it was fast. He was fast." She corrected.If she handed him the phone and if there was a legit picture of this creature on there with a timestamp to go along with it, he would believe her and apologize. Mickey took the phone and looked at them. The first one was nothing but sand, the next one had a pinkish tint to the sand; blood probably just like she said. The one after that was a rock, but when he looked closer, he could see something yellow, like bright yellow with orange accents…they were scales.This could not be a mermaid...it just couldn't.Mickey handed the phone back, already shaking his head. "I said proof, Mandy, not a bunch of shit."Mandy snatched it back with a scowl. "You're an asshole, Mickey. You know damn well what it is and you refuse to see it. Why would I bother freaking out about it or worse, coming to you about it if I wasn’t sure what I saw? You think I want to sound insane here, hmm? I’m not a liar, Mickey. I saw what I saw, it doesn’t matter if you believe me or not. I just hoped you would.”Mickey scowled. "The only thing you showed me was some sand, a damn rock and a slice of yellow...something. Doesn't mean it's a damn mermaid." He didn’t know what she saw, but he didn’t see much hope in what she said. No proof."Something?" Her voice rose about two octaves, eyebrows high just like her brothers could. She was mad, upset that he didn’t believe her automatically. "Yellow something, huh? That's all you got?"This was going nowhere. Mickey didn't answer, picked up his gear and took them around back, knowing that she would follow. And she did, stomping across the deck, huffing along the way. She was a force that no one could escape. Sometimes a blessing, most times a curse, but consistent."I freaked out when I saw him so the pictures suck," Mandy explained, leaning over to watch him wash off his gear at the spigot on the back deck. "But I saw his face,too. Not a damn fish face either, but a human face. Someone real.”Mickey stopped, glancing back at her and that unusual serious tone."With eyes and a nose and a mouth. His hair was bright red and he had gills on the side of his face, like where his ears would be…" Mandy trailed off, glancing out to the water as if he might just show up and prove her right. "He looked incredible. And I promise, he was real. As real as we are standing here right now. You know I wouldn’t make this up.”The hose fell from his hand as he stood up, regarding her not as a sister with her head up in the clouds, but seriously. No more snark, no more jokes or excuses."Look, even if it was a mermaid, it's gone, Mandy." Mickey pointed to the water in the distance. "And if it's smart, it'll stay there or risk being killed and or someone's pet."Mandy nodded, head down. "Yeah, I guess so. But he was amazing, Mick. He was beautiful. I wish you could have seen him."Him. She kept saying him. Mickey just said it because he wasn't sure if there was a gender like that. Mermaids or mermen or merpeople...not very much was known about them. Not even poking the dead ones or studying the captured ones could offer up very much information."Look," Mickey huffed, deciding not to argue anymore about it and tossed an arm around her shoulders, "I've been gone for a long ass time. Let's just have dinner, yeah? I don’t want to spend the time we have talking about something that may or may not be real. I wanna spend it with you and Iggy and enjoy being home.”Mandy smiled, wrapping her arm around his waist.Mickey grinned as they walked in and the feel of home surrounded him in a way nothing else could. "Let's eat and talk and fucking drink and maybe I'll believe your little mermaid story."Mandy shoved him until he fell on the couch and he just went with it. Arms and legs sprawled in all directions, head back as he shut his eyes. Even the couch felt like heaven. No strong smell of fish and saltwater, no dampness everywhere you sat, no waves rushing up or the not so gentle rock of the boat...nothing. Just silence, calming silence."I'll cook this one time but only because I missed your grumpy ass." Mandy walked to get them a few beers before she started cooking.Mickey popped the top with his eyes closed and drank nearly half before he replied to her. "I already know you miss me, asshole. This house missed me and the couch missed me," he stretched, yawning so hard his jaw cracked. "Fuck, my bed missed me.""Get a room, Jesus." Mandy laughed, rolling her eyes but couldn't bother to be annoyed. "And after we drink, I am going to draw my mermaid and after you see him, you'll wish he was real."Mickey flipped her off, not bothering to open his eyes. It was easy to act like he didn't care, like it didn't interest him… if only she knew. Her story was enough to peak his interest. Mickey loved the sea, he fucking loved everything about it. The waves and the salt water and the feeling he got when he was out deep with his crew, nothing but blue water all around him. He was a fisherman for a reason. It would make sense for him to be interested in the mythical creatures that might lurk under the blue water."Don't even try that shit, Mandy," Mickey replied as he sat forward to put his empty beer on the table, happy when there was another to replace it. "I hardly doubt a bunch of slimy scales and half a human body will make my man parts tingle."Mandy gagged from the kitchen, making an awful retching sound. "I never want to hear that shit ever again, Mick. Just fucking gross."Mickey grinned, the second he mentioned anything about his sex life, she would do that. He knew it too and used it to get her to shut up about that shit. Otherwise she would never give up, not only because she happened to see one of those things with her own eyes, but because she was a girl. She liked all those romantic stories, and the ideas of mermaids being real and beautiful, falling in love with humans.It was a nice thought, but only that. Just a thought. A dream even. Maybe one day mermaids wouldn't be so rare, or maybe people would stop hunting them for money. Maybe a time would come when he really believed they existed ...they could only wait and see."And he wasn't slimy," Mandy shot back, glaring right back at him. "I wish he would have stayed longer."While he drank, he let Mandy ramble on about her mermaid. His mind was already full enough without fairytale stories, one of which he would never actually see. He had to think about work, bills, his next rotation, the work on his boat that would have to be done before he could leave again. Too much to add some girlie story.Even thinking that, feeling it, Mickey got up, ignoring her as he walked to the bay window that overlooked the water. He leaned against it, nursing his beer, watching the dark waves of the unknown, wondering if he would ever see one for himself, with his own eyes. Not a story passed down, or blurry pictures like Bigfoot, or some annoying hoax. But a real one, right in front of him.Until that happened, he would listen to Mandy ramble about it...about him. Maybe try and not be so narrow minded. Maybe try and picture what a yellow tail might look like on a man with red hair...try not to think about it being hurt or scared like Mandy said. Maybe dead.That was a lot of maybes…**Mickey woke up hungover. Like really hungover. Woke up in a different country hungover. His head felt like it was split in two, his vision blurred, the light hurt his eyes so much he couldn't even open them. And it felt like someone stuffed a wad of cotton balls into his mouth for the night; dry and scratchy."Fuck." He groaned, swallowing dryly as he rolled to grab that first morning cigarette.Last night after dinner had been a blur. He never stopped drinking and Mandy never stopped talking. It was refreshing to have someone to talk to aside from Iggy and the boys. Yeah, he had constant contact with her up in the lighthouse, giving him information about oncoming storms or boats, competition, weather; but it wasn't the same as just talking.Mandy even dropped the mermaid topic after she drew a rather detailed, beautiful picture of what she saw. They talked about other things, life with her boyfriend Matt, work and the upcoming work season. But mostly it was just them shootin shit at each other, drinks and shots and too much laughing. Just like they used to do.Fuck, he missed that.Somehow she managed to get him in his room, in his king sized expensive memory foam bed. He was still wearing sweats and no shirt from the shower but it was better than the couch.Mickey rolled to put his cigarette out and something crinkled underneath him. "The fuck?" He mumbled, blinking quickly as he rolled off it and pulled the paper up to his face. It was the picture she drew. She put it in his bed? "Fuckin creep."Tossing the paper aside, Mickey sat up and stretched, hearing every possible bone pop in return. He was halfway to the bathroom when he turned and grabbed the paper, taking it with him to brush his teeth.It was very detailed, professional, like everything else Mandy drew. And it was just as she described; the blood stained sand, the rock with that little tip of a yellow tail hidden behind it, but there was more. She added two hands, human hands, gripping the rock from the other side, peering over it. Half of its face was showing, two large wide eyes, a soft green color, two prominent cheekbones with a few yellow and orange gems clinging to its skin. The nose was straight, no ears but gills, lightly tinted blue… pale skin, almost like it was glowing.It was beautiful. He was beautiful."Nope," he tossed the paper on his bed as he changed into jean shorts. "Not gonna go there."Mandy was gone, the place was clean because she cared about shit like that, and it was quiet. Something he still wasn't used to, not being around Iggy and his crew for that long at a time. He was used to messes with his crew and at home it took a long time to have just himself as company. Clean and clear and his.The sun was barely up, casting an unreal glimmer across the water as he made coffee. Still, his eyes searched the water for that hint of yellow and orange, hoping to see something he never would. He wasted twenty minutes looking, drank two cups of coffee in the process before it got irritating."Just let it go man," Mickey mumbled to himself as he sat in the overstuffed chair in front of his tv, he turned it on, skipping right to the weather channel.. "Time to relax, not worry about that shit.""Earlier this morning, we received word that another creature was pulled from the water…"Mickey sat up, looking away from his phone when the news lady spoke. His attention completely on the topic and he knew without her saying it what she meant by 'creature.'"Our sources say the creature was caught at dawn. The capture goes to local fisherman Noah Willcox, the long-time resident of Miami said the creature was dead upon arrival.""Shit." Mickey cursed and dialed Mandy without looking away from the TV. She answered on the second ring, just as groggy as he had been."It's early Mick, what the --""Just shut it, turn on the tv, Mandy." Mickey turned up the volume just as Noah's smug ass face came into view. "News chick just said Willcox just caught a creature."Mandy gasped. "Shit! I hope it wasn't the mermaid I saw. I fuckin told you!"Mickey rolled his eyes. "It didn't say mermaid, bitch, she said creature. That could mean anything.""Yeah right, even you don't believe that shit." She huffed. "Just stay on the phone with me. I wanna see if they say it's a mermaid and to see what the color is."As soon as the lady came back on, Mickey tuned Mandy out and listened. "As you just heard from Noah Willcox, the creature was verified as a mermaid. One in only six sighted so far and the third to die before capture.""Mick…" Mandy whined."Just wait." He whispered back, sitting on the edge of his seat, hoping she said any color besides yellow or orange. "Just wait.""The police won't disclose a picture, but Noah himself said the mermaid was female in nature with a pink and purple tail. There is no telling how it died, but the police are baffled he managed to locate one so close to shore."Both Mickey and Mandy exhaled a deep breath at the same time. Mickey shouldn't feel so relieved, not when another one of them was dead. But he was because it wasn't the one Mandy saw, or thought she saw. IF she saw it."Thank fuck it wasn't him." Mandy groaned, voice a little shaky. "Maybe Noah will let us see her, or talk to us."Mickey scoffed, still hyper focused on the tv. "Noah would never let me near that damn thing. You know he still holds a grudge over my route." Mickey flipped off the tv when Noah came back into view. "He's the only one who fought me over the damn thing.""Yeah, and with good reason, Mick. Four of those mermaids were found in the Triangle. One of which is actually still alive."She wasn't wrong about that and he wouldn't argue it. "Yeah, I know. Point is, he won't let me near it but if you wanna give it a shot, make sure you actually take pictures that aren't blurry."Mandy scowled. "I will, asshole and when I prove it to you, you owe me an apology."Mickey smiled. "Don't bet your life on it, Mands.""Any plans today? Aside from being an asshole I mean?"Before that news report he planned on lounging around the house all damn day, but now he wanted to check out the beach where Mandy saw it...him. But he wasn't about to tell her that shit."Nope," Mickey lied as be stood and moved to get his shoes. "Gonna stay on the couch, right where I am." Wallet, keys, sunglasses. "Sleep the day away.""Fine, you earned it. But I'm coming over after I talk to Noah."Mickey stepped out, closing the door as quietly as possible to keep her from hearing. "Yeah, just let me know so I'm not naked or anything. Day off, ya know?"Mandy gagged. "Gross, just gross."Before she hung up, he was already halfway to his jeep. The beach Mandy mentioned wasn't far, half an hour from his house and within walking distance from the lighthouse. He didn’t tell her for a reason. But he wanted to see for himself if what she said was truthful.The entire drive, his heart was racing, beating out of control. It even made it hard to swallow. Mickey knew there was no way he would get there and just see Mandy's mermaid on the beach, he wasn't delusional. But Noah finding that other one seemed to make him want to believe that what she saw was real, that it had been there.The beach was quiet this early. This part of the beach was too rocky for surfing because it was up against the lighthouse. Mickey stood on the sandy steps looking into the water like he was losing his mind. Maybe he was.Being here almost proved it."Shit." Mickey groaned, taking the steps as quickly as possible until his sandals were lost in the sand. Whatever could be there, had to be close. Mandy said she saw blood when she went down to the beach. That's where he was. So he looked, peeling his sunglasses off and really looked.Sand, shells, more sand, seaweed. The normal shit you might find this close to the water. Then came the mass collection of jagged rocks. And he could see the one Mandy drew for him, with the mermaid behind it; tail and all. But there was nothing.Each step he took, he could feel his heart threatening to jump from his chest. Mickey bent down to touch the sand, squeezing until it slipped from his fingers. Then he touched the rock, careful of the jagged pieces on top but again, nothing. No blood."This is stupid." Mickey huffed and tossed a handful of sand at that rock. Beyond frustrated and confused. "Stupid Mandy," Mickey kicked off his shoes, "stupid Noah," then slid down, with his back pressed into it. "Stupid yellow fucking mermaid."No answers would be found there. No blood, no yellow scales. No red hair. Just the sand and the sea, just like it always was for him. The ocean was still a mystery for him, even after being on it and in it for ten years. Why did he need more? Why did he need there to be a mermaid that Mandy claimed was 'so beautiful.' He had enough already.He had a big house, a nice car, his dream job, friends and family. He had it all, right? If he had it all, why did he really want that yellow mermaid to be real? Why did he think it would make his life better?Mickey closed his eyes, and sat down against that rock formation, letting the sound of crashing waves take away all those questions out of his mind. He tried to picture anything and everything, but the only thing he could think of as he drifted off to sleep, was the damn drawing Mandy did, that happened to be in his pocket….
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The Devil's TriangleChapter 2- HallucinationsMore." Mickey groaned, spreading his legs, making room for him to crawl between them.Mickey could feel him everywhere, from the slightly webbed fingers, to the silkiness of his skin, over the bumps of each gem around his eyes, to the yellow scaled tail, moving back and forth through the shallow waves; he could feel him.It felt better than anything he could have imagined… From the touch of a lover, one you've known for years, or that of a stranger when you enjoy each other's bodies for one night...it felt better than coming home after months of being away. There was nothing better than this…"Human…"The mermaid's voice was soft, but it echoed around him, making it sound louder. Mickey reached out, tracing his sharp jaw, all the way to where his ear should have been, where gills replaced it."Touch me." Mickey groaned, doing his best to move closer, to feel any friction against him he could to dull that pulsing ache. "Please…"The mermaid moved closer, bending down until their noses touched and Mickey let one hand slide up his side, feeling water move under his fingers as he tried to keep him there. His lips were so pink and smooth, only inches from his own but the kiss never came."Human…" he repeated again, green eyes curiously searching.His body was so hot from barely any contact. Mickey felt like he was about to combust, just looking into his eyes, counting all the orange tinted yellow scales around his hairline. Each time he spoke, Mickey became harder, more desperate."Stay with me, human…" he whispered, slithering backwards into the waves."Don't go." Mickey begged as he followed. He got on his hands and knees in the wet sand and moved after him. "I need you to stay."But the mermaid kept moving until only his head was above water. Panic seized his chest, squeezing it painfully tight when he realized this was it. The end. The last time he might see him. Mickey needed him to stay, he needed to know all about him.The water was up past his shoulders, spraying water in his face with every wave. And he still moved deeper, trying to follow him, even when his head was halfway underwater and he couldn't breathe. It was drowning him."Play with me…"Mickey bolted up, coughing as water was forced into his throat, eyes watering, panic seizing him, subsiding for only a moment for him to come back to reality. It was a dream, a damn dream. He looked around, seeing the sun setting and high tide had him halfway underwater. The waves gently lapped at his hips, covering him from the waist down."Jesus Christ." Mickey groaned, leaning back against that rock as he watched the ocean.The dream had felt so real. From the water to the sound of his voice, to the need in his body. He was burning hot, his groin ached something awful and his hands were shaking at his sides. It felt like withdrawal. Being kept away from something he needed, something he craved…**(Two months later)Mandy's mermaid was never spotted again, not even when she spent every waking moment at the lighthouse trying to find it. Not even when he went down to that stretch of beach every day, looking for clues to prove it was real.Mickey gave up, or at least that's what he told Mandy. But it was the biggest lie of all. He kept going to the beach, he kept every single one of Mandy's drawings, kept them in his room and stared at them until he could no longer stay awake.That dream always came back to him after he got home from the beach. Replaying it over and over again, never deviating from one single detail. Mickey would find himself praying for sleep, just to get back to that dream. To get back to his mermaid, or Mandy’s mermaid.But those days were over, now. It was back to work for him and his crew. His boat was fixed, loaded and passed inspection. He was packed for at least one month on water, maybe longer if needed, unless they had shitty luck and had to stay longer.And it was time to go."Got everything?" Mandy asked for the millionth time.Mickey nodded, smiling even if she was being annoying. He knew how hard it was for her to stay behind, for him to leave her behind. But it was safer that way. She wasn't qualified to do what they did, like he and Iggy were. She wasn’t cut out for that life."I got it all, Mandy." Mickey playfully slapped her hands away from the bags at his feet and helped her stand up. "Plenty of toothpaste, toilet paper and clean socks. I'm good to go.""I hate staying." She huffed with no real anger, just sadness. "I want to go."Mandy had never wanted to fish before. She hated it in fact. Her going just allowed her to be close to her family...or it did. Now she had a different motive. To find her mermaid. To find answers and that was not a good enough reason to let her go, never mind that it wasn't up to him in the first place. Their work was dangerous."Just get up in your tower and look for it," Mickey suggested, calling the mermaid an IT on purpose. "You saw it once before, maybe it'll happen again."Mandy rolled her eyes. "It's not an IT, Mick, he's a he."Without wanting to argue, Mickey bent down and picked up his bags, Mandy too, grabbing the one he couldn't carry and walked towards the boat dock. Iggy, his first mate and brother for all intents and purposes; and the boys were already boarded; the boys meaning the last two members of his crew. Quinn Maddox, a childhood friend, second mate, and Knox Gunner, former military, and he was the helmsman. A damn good crew. One he could depend on to keep him alive, to keep them alive and afloat."Gonna be late, Mick." Iggy shook his head.Mickey flipped him off and tossed the heavy bags on top of him, making Mandy laugh. "Boat can't leave without the captain, Igg. Always remember that."Mandy grinned."I beg to differ, Mickey," Knox smiled from the wheel. "The boat can't leave without me."Mickey flipped him off as well. "Yes it can because unlike these other two meatheads, I can drive the boat too.""Just go," Mandy pulled him into a tight hug. "Or else they won't shut the fuck up.""You are right about that." Mickey hugged her back before she pulled away with that same sad look. "Hey…"Mandy glanced up in question."No promises," he kept his voice down, making sure the guys didn't hear him or else they never would shut up. "But I'll keep a lookout for it, okay?""Him Mick, it's a him." Mandy corrected with a playful scowl. "And thanks. Now go and be safe. You know I don’t like you guys going out like this. It’s too dangerous.”Mickey boarded the boat without another word when Iggy dropped his hand down and pulled him in, then slapped his back. "With you in the lighthouse, we are always safe." Mandy smiled, which is what he wanted. "Love you, asshole.""Love you too, bitch." Mandy waved, managing a small smile for Iggy too before she looked at the other two. "Bring them home safe boys, or you'll have me to deal with."When they flinched at the threat, Mickey laughed so hard he almost fell over the side."Not to worry miss Mandy," Knox replied with a smile. "I'll bring em back for you."She winked, tears welling in her eyes. "Good, bye guys!"They all waved and Knox had them backed out of the marina but the time Mandy made it back to his jeep. The rock of the boat was already enough to settle his nerves as he moved easily under the boat with both of his bags.The cabin was small, but big enough for four of them to live comfortably. Two sets of bunk beds took up one wall, not as good as his bed at the house but he's slept on worse before. There was a kitchen area as well, packed with enough food to last them a month or so if need be but they always stopped in Bermuda to deliver and swap or trade and stock up. Big bathroom too, no bath of course but a decent shower that helped with the worst of aches and pains from hard work. As well as the fishy smell.It wasn't much, but Mickey still felt himself grinning as he tossed his bags on one of the empty beds and put the majority of his stuff away. At the bottom of the last bag was a waterproof documents bag filled with all the drawings Mandy made of her mermaid.Her mermaid...Mickey called it that to keep some distance from him, from calling it his mermaid and not hers. It helped, or at least he thought so. It had been for the last two months. But he hadn't distanced himself too far from it. Not even close.He took a seat on the bed below his and held the covered papers in his hand. There was no way to know who packed them, him or Mandy. Mickey didn't remember putting them into his bag but he also didn't remember exactly how many times he went down to that beach either. And he kept those papers with him, all the time. There's no way it could have been Mandy.Without a second thought, he stood up and hid them under his pillow. Just like hiding porn as a kid, it had the same feel to it. Forbidden but a guilty pleasure that would continue until your body had enough. But the last thing he needed was for Iggy to find it, or the rest of them. He’d never live it down.But no time for pleasure of any kind right now, physical stimulation, or mental, it was time to work. Mickey shrugged his jacket off, grabbed his ridiculous hat that said "skipper" on it; a gag gift from Mandy, and put it on as he took the stairs back up, seeing Iggy already checking their equipment."Alright boys," Mickey smiled as he stood by Knox, glancing at the map, then back to the water. "Let's go to work."***Their first night out was nearing. The sun was just on the horizon, ready to slip below the sky, making it a mix between yellow, pink and orange...take away the pink and you'd have...nope. Not gonna think about it...him..They had nets in the water, baited and ready to go for nightfall. Fishing was more productive at night. The engine was cut off, the sails up; ones that he personally installed, and they were making their way slowly. Nights were quieter, less boat traffic. The more likely that fish would come up to bite, and they did. Giving them the advantage.The sails were unnecessary according to Iggy. They had an engine, why would they need sails on a fishing boat? Well, that question had been answered one long trip when their engine had exploded halfway to Puerto Rico and they had been stranded for over three days, unable to move unless the ocean took them there. Knox hadn't been able to fix it and it had taken someone three days for someone to help them. Thank fuck there hadn't been on the those out of the blue, mysterious storms the Triangle liked to conjure up or they'd have been fucked.Never again. As soon as they got back to Miami, Mickey commissioned to have sails added. Just in case that shit happened again, they wouldn't be left to the elements and helpless. He never wanted to feel like that again. Not to mention the money they earned went right back into fixing the boat. The payoff for that trip had been shitty."Good to go, Iggy?" Mickey asked as made sure their nets were tied tightly with the harsh rock of the water. He didn’t want anything slipping free.Iggy nodded. "Good to go, Mick. All eight nets baited, set and tight. Got the cooler on full blast below, making sure that ice says ice, unlike that first time. We are golden for tonight."Mickey took the stairs quickly, meeting Knox up by the wheel. Both of them checked their current direction as the day slipped into night. "Looks like we are set for a few hours, boys." He got a few grateful smiles in return. "Get some sleep or unpack your shit, I got it for a bit."They didn't ask if he was sure, just clapped him on the shoulder before they went below. This wasn't their first time together, they knew he needed time and he liked to just take a little while alone, just to get back in the right headspace after being home for two months. When it was dark and quiet, none of their never ending chatter and jokes. Just him in the dark with the sound of waves around him, the cool breeze off the water and that soft beep of their sonar in the background."To a safe trip." Mickey tipped the flask he had in his hand to the water, a mild salute to the very dangerous territory where they risked their lives. With a smile, Mickey took a drink and sat down, watching the rest of the sun fade.**The night was quiet. Iggy and Quinn were below, sleeping or eating while he and Knox were up top, once again checking the nets and ropes and their current direction. But it was all good, so they sat and passed that flask back and forth while they talked.Nothing too serious, mostly about Knox and his crush on Mandy, work concerning a few rival boats and their constant issues. But then they talked about Noah being on tv. About the mermaid. Asking themselves and each other why it had to be a jackass like Noah Willcox to find one, and not them. They were ten times better than he was, worked harder, all around good people and the world chose him.Unfair as all hell.It didn't take long for Knox to get irritated about Noah and end their little talk session, something that happened a lot with him. Now Mickey was alone up top, drinking alone as he watched the water, or the moon. Life seemed easier out there, with a straightforward job, no distractions except those that cloud your mind, like Noah or Mandy, or the mermaid.Mostly the mermaid. He wondered how he'd been so easily distracted by it, or why. Even if they were real, which in all accounts, they were, why did he care aside from the 'it came from the ocean' aspect? There was no real reason why he should want to see that mermaid, aside from curiosity. But it was there just under the surface and it was clear he couldn't ignore it or hope it went away.Mickey stood, a little wobbly that had nothing to do with the rock of the boat, and moved to the side to lean against it. He looked down, amazed at how close the water looked, how dark without the light to give the appearance of safety. It was beautiful.After a few more drinks, Mickey walked to the front of the boat, sitting down on the makeshift bench there and leaned against the side. He was looking for it now, not just admiring the view, but actually looking for the mermaid. He studied the water closely, or as closely as his inebriated brain would allow, looking for yellow scales, or orange, red hair or green eyes.What would it be like to live in the ocean like that? To never leave, to enjoy all those mysteries that lay beneath the surface, just waiting.Mickey was halfway slumped over the side when he saw it. Just a quick flash of color before it was gone. A jolt of lightning was slower. He blinked a few times, staring at where he saw it, or thought he saw it. It wasn't yellow or orange, but a greenish blue color."Pathetic." He groaned to himself and relaxed again. It wasn't the mermaid, the colors were wrong. Probably just a dolphin or tuna getting too close to the side, making him think it would be anything other than a fish. The light and water could play tricks on the mind, making your wildest imaginations come to life.This shit was making him crazy. Literally, he was losing his mind. It was all he could think about, or dream about. He spent hours down at the beach, searching for evidence or waiting around, hoping to see it. He pretty much kept the drawings on him, taking them no matter where he went. The dreams and the needs they conjured up in his body were making him edgy, frustrated.Now he was seeing things?Or was he? Mickey had his eyes closed when a wave of water splashed him right in the face, drenching everything from the waist up. He sat up, dropping the flash as he wiped his face and peered over the boat. Panic setting in.He saw it again, something passing by the boat so quickly he couldn't make it out, not even with the full moon shining down on the water. His eyes moved back and forth, nearly bugging out as he searched as hard as possible."Knox? Mickey asked as he looked back. Knox was laying back on the higher deck, headphones over his ears. He wouldn’t hear him, and it didn’t look like he was playing a prank. "Shit."Something was there, and it wasn't just a fish. Nothing that would come close enough to the boat and splash him like that. Mickey stood up, still a little wobbly as he moved across the deck, unable to take his eyes off the water."I know you're there." Mickey called out, loud enough to be heard but not to attract Knox. "Just show me." He whispered, stopping to lean against a part of the sail to keep himself upright.For a while, nothing happened. No waves or movement of any kind. No colors rushing passed the surface of the water. Mickey groaned, nearly pulling his hair out. Maybe it was all in his alcohol soaked mind.Sanity was knowing for sure one way or another. If he actually saw it, great. Or if he never saw anything, also great. But this in-between shit was killing him. He needed to know one way or another or he needed to stop looking altogether...for real this time.Before he gave up for the night and went to put Iggy on watch, Mickey took one last glance at the water. And he saw it, as clear as the moon above him; a mermaid slowly swimming the length of the boat, not three feet away from him."Holy shit." Mickey laughed, smiling as brightly as possible.It was beautiful, just fucking beautiful.The only thing he could make out were the colors, dark green with blue undertones, two-toned. And the tail looked to be about six foot long, not including the human part of its body. That was blurry, just a creamy white smudge under the water, but the hair was red...This was not yellow with orange undertones, so this wasn't the same mermaid Mandy saw. It was disappointing, but what were the odds that two mermaids would be seen within months of each other? Highly unlikely, but as far as he knew, as far as anyone knew, they didn’t just change colors.Mickey got on his stomach on the slick deck, not minding the water that seeped into his clothes and peered over the side where the water was able to rush back into the ocean. It put his face a foot away from the water, but it was gone again."Come back." Mickey groaned, hanging his head, along with one hand to brush the water with his finger tips. He’d been so close.So maybe it wasn't the same one, but it was still a mermaid and obviously he was still interested. If he leaned over the boat trying to touch the damn thing."Here fishy, fishy," Mickey gigled, that was the booze talking.The responding splash had him grinning but this time, as he looked down, it wasn't just the tail he saw, but the face. Mickey's eyes went wide, matching the green eyes below the water… they looked scared, curious to his surprised look.He, yes, he; had bright red hair, green eyes. Just like Mandy said. But the gems around his face were a mix of blue and green, not the same colors she mentioned. But the gills had that blue tint to it and he was amazed to find the lack of ears didn't freak him out as much."Wanna come up?" Mickey asked, not expecting an answer. Maybe he couldn’t hear him over the loud rush of waves slapping against the boat.The water shifted, almost making it look like the mermaid tilted his head in question. But it didn't come up, either because he was afraid, or didn't hear or understand what he said."I won't hurt you." Mickey tried again, shooting up, dipping the tips of his fingers into the water as well as half his arm. "I just want to see you."A slight head tilt again, which made Mickey smile, until a hand moved in the water. Graceful as it moved upwards, trying to meet his own hand. Mickey didn't move an inch, watching as their fingers nearly touched, seeing that his were indeed slightly webbed, just like Mandy drew."Don't be afraid." He whispered, moving a little so more of his hand went into the water. The waves slapped harshly against his hands. Maybe the mermaid couldn’t hear him over it, but he kept trying. "Just a little closer."Then it happened. The tips of their fingers touched, barely enough to register the feeling. Mickey smiled when the corner of his mouth lifted also, smiling right back at him.Mickey wasn't sure how long the touch lasted, because it all came to a halt when the boat moved and his hand slipped off the wet side, toppling him into the water. The connection was broken, the mermaid was gone and Mickey was left in the freezing water, half drunk, unable to see clearly, kicking his arms and legs to reach the surface to take a deep breath."Knox!!" He yelled as he tread water, happy that it was summer and it wasn't as freezing. "Knox!!"The waves were calm, but it was pitch black outside with only the light of the moon and the dim light onboard that showed any kind of direction. Also, he had been drinking and that was dangerous all on its own. Not to mention sharks, even though that was lower on the death scale as drowning was on the first."Damn it." Mickey groaned. He took a calming breath and moved forward towards the boat. "Knox!" He yelled again as he tried and failed to reach the top part of the boat. His arm was too short, the waves were harsher closer to the boat and he was tired. He might never get to the top.A splash from behind startled him. Mickey jerked around as quickly as possible, a little afraid it might be a curious shark...they did bite people just to see what the hell they were, but at the glimpse of green a few feet away, he relaxed and he wasn’t all that sure why. It was still unknown to him."Gonna gimme a hand or what?" Mickey joked, snorting at himself.What he didn't expect was a giant tail to emerge from the water, going high up into the air a few feet, then came crashing right back down, creating one big ass wave that had him turning, swimming fast like you would on a surfboard trying to catch a wave."Shit!" Mickey yelped as he got swept up in the wave with nothing to steady him but the rush of water. He didn't even see the side of the boat until the upper half of his body was forced against it, knocking the wind out of him.The water died down as a coughing fit took over, too much water and the lack of air had him scrambling to grab onto something before he got swept back down. As he blinked the saltwater from his eyes, he could see Knox still laying down, thumping his foot to the music."Hey, asshole!" Mickey barked and grabbed the flask he dropped and threw it as hard as he could, hitting the steps right by Knox's feet.Knox sat up, eyes wide as he looked around.Mickey waved one arm high, seeing his friends eyes wide as noticed him. His other hand gripped the slippery deck, doing little to help pull himself up."Shit, Mick!" Knox yelled, bending to grip him under both shoulders to pull him up. "What the fuck?"Mickey ignored him, looking back at the water, surprised to see the tips of that tail slithering back down. It saved him, he saved him. And he stayed to make sure he was able to get back on the boat. But then he was gone into the dark water."No night swimming, asshole!" Knox dropped him on the deck, then sitting hismelf down too, out of breath and a little freaked out about it all.Mickey giggled as he rolled to his back, utterly exhausted but giddy with excitement. That entire thing just happened. He finally saw a fucking mermaid. He was saved by one. He touched one!! It didn’t matter that he almost died, swallowed by the sea, by the very thing he loved the most. He was almost lost to it and he couldn’t think about that fear yet. Just him."God, that was incredible." Mickey smiled as he looked up to the stars. They sparkled like diamonds under the moonlight, a million galaxies waiting to be found. Just like the sea.Knox kicked him. "The fuck it was. What the hell happened?"It would be easy to tell Knox what he saw. And Knox would believe him, or think he was hammered. But Mickey didn't say anything. He kept it to himself, for now at least. It was his alone to think about, to remember over and over again about how that single touch felt. How lucky he’d been."Mickey?" Knox asked, looking down at him, worried. "You okay?"Mickey nodded, looking at him. "Just an accident, man. Drank too much, got too close to the water. Shouldn’t have happened. A wave slammed into me and helped me get back to the edge of the boat. Just couldn’t make it the entire way up.”Knox nodded. "No more booze for tonight, man. I can’t deal with telling Mandy how I let your ass drown the first night out." He sighed, a little shaky with fear. "Glad you got back up though. I know from experience how hard that is."When Knox moved, Mickey turned his head back to the water, a secret smile playing on his lips. "Yeah, that shit was hard as fuck. Glad I had some help." He chuckled.Knox did too. "Anytime, man."Mickey didn't say it wasn't him. He didn’t say anything. Hell, he didn't even move from that spot. He didn't hear when Quinn and Iggy came up to the deck, confused at what happened, he didn't tell them either. They would find out, at some point but it wouldn’t ruin his high right now.For now, that was his mermaid and he didn't want to share.
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The Devil's TriangleChapter 3- Treasure It was two whole days before Mickey saw his mermaid again. Each morning, he would look around the boat for him, then again when he pulled the nets up around noon, then he spent half the night waiting to see him again but never did.At first he was convinced he dreamt the entire thing, or he was so drunk he imagined him. And in those two days, he never felt more depressed and alone. Five minutes of that mermaid's time and now that he was without it felt wrong, lonely.So he worked his ass off. Trying and failing not to think about him again. It might have been easier if he wasn't on the water, but here he was and work only distracted him from physically looking in the water. His brain picked up the slack and it was all he could think about.The third day had Mickey alone again, sitting by the wheel, deciding how long it would take to get to Bermuda with their deadline. The boys were below, cooking, playing cards or sleeping, knowing he needed a little space from them. Being cooped up with the same guys, even guys he loved, would drive someone nuts. They all needed a little break.The water was quiet, still. Not so much as a wave hitting the side of the boat. It was eerie. Mickey kept dozing off, unable to keep his eyes open from the lack of sleep for two nights straight. Dozing off while at the helm wasn’t a good thing, but not necessarily a bad thing either. They were anchored down for a reason. Unless it broke, which was unlikely, they wouldn’t move very far.A loud splash had him wide awake, up out of his seat, not caring if the map fell to the wet deck and moved as quickly as possible to the side, peering into the water. Looking for any signs it was him, a flash of green and blue, or bright red hair. It was so dark."Come on." Mickey spoke up enough to be heard from the water but quiet so the guys didn't come up. "It's been two days, man, give me something."Another splash sounded on the other side of the boat. Mickey smiled, moving across the deck as quickly as he could without slipping. The water was in motion from the splash, but still no sign of him.Just as he was about to give up, the mermaid appeared, slowly coming up from the water so only his eyes were above the water. Mickey was instantly awestruck. This looked like the same mermaid from last night; same hair and eyes, but the green and blue gems around his eyes were now yellow and orange. Just like Mandy said it was."Wow." Mickey spoke softly and still he startled him. The mermaid sank a little deeper, almost all the way under, afraid. "Don't go, please? I just...uh, your colors," Mickey lamely pointed to his eyes, "they're a different color from last time."The mermaid cocked his head to the side and Mickey had to smile. His smile seemed to trigger something because he started swimming alongside the boat again, and Mickey saw that the color of his tail was different too."Oh, my God." Mickey laughed, watching it shine like liquid gold as he moved slowly through the waves. "It is you, no shit."So, maybe Mandy hadn't been full of shit like he thought she was. Maybe she really did see him back in Florida. He owed her one fuck of an apology. As quickly as his smile appeared, it left just as quickly. If this was the same one, then he was hurt somewhere on his tail. Mandy mentioned blood, and that was never a good thing. It meant something had happened.Once he stopped swimming and went back to his original spot, Mickey knelt down slowly so he didn't spook him. "Can you understand me?" He asked, unable to take his eyes off of him, he was stunningly beautiful. "This might be easier if you can."When all he did was flip his tail, Mickey had no idea if that meant yes or no, or he was pissed off. Flicking his tail the way a cat might when it was irritated. The good news was he didn't swim away, he didn't look as scared as that first time."Okay, I'm just gonna act like you can understand because then I won't feel quite as stupid." He huffed at himself, feeling stupid enough already. "And you need a name, so if you have one let's hear it." The only response he got was the mermaid tilting his head in that curious way again. "Calling you mermaid sounds girlie so I need a name."No reply, not even a head tilt. One way conversation was such a bitch. How the hell were they supposed to communicate? Mickey didn't know anything about mermaids other than what Mandy mentioned once or twice and what others said, that they were rare and beautiful, or dangerous. He heard that once before, too. He didn’t know if they spoke the same language, or if they had some other language only they spoke.lThis one didn't seem dangerous. Shy, curious maybe, not to mention helpful. Kept his stupid ass from drowning. And it was hard to believe something so beautiful could be dangerous…but it could be a ruse. They could use their looks, their beauty, to lure people in and kill them."Okay, let's just try okay?" Mickey sat down, kicking off his boots and let his legs hang off the side. "If You understand, just nod once, okay? Like this." Mickey nodded once and the mermaid copied him, nodding in the most adorable way. "Yes! Good, very good."The waves picked up a little, slapping against the outside of the boat, splashing up his legs. It felt nice but it seemed to confuse the mermaid. His head tilted a little again and he moved a little closer. Like he didn't know why only his feet were in the water."Can you understand what I'm saying?" Mickey asked.The mermaid nodded once.Mickey grinned. "Okay, good. Can you talk?"Again, he nodded once."Okay, so you just don't wanna talk or is it me?" Mickey asked, not really sure if he wanted the answer. If the mermaid didn't want to talk, why did he come back? Curiosity maybe?This time he shook his head no. No as in he didn't want to talk, or no it wasn't him? This shit was confusing and if it had been anyone else doing this, Mickey would have lost his temper."Not sure what to make of that, but it's progress." He smiled, noticing the small lift in the mermaid's mouth as well, possibly a smile. "Well, my name is Mickey. And thanks for helping last night, I don't think I would have drowned or anything but it would have sucked without help."It seemed like he was about to come closer, until he just sank under the water. Mickey leaned forward, trying to follow the golden glow of his tail beyond the blue wall of water, but soon even he couldn't see it. Obviously he said something wrong, or offensive, or it was possible the mermaid never even understood and that he was only copying his movements."Yeah, good talk, man." Mickey said sadly, not hiding his disappointment and stood up, grabbing his shoes as he moved away. But before he could get halfway across the deck, water was being slung at his back. "The fuck?" He turned, his back soaking wet, only to see that his mermaid returned.Mickey dropped his shoes and walked back, about to sit down when he stepped on something. He looked down, surprised to see a cluster of small pink sea shells on the edge of the deck where he'd been sitting.The shells spelled a name, Ian.Mickey laughed and bent down. "Ian, huh?" The mermaid nodded once. "Well Ian, it's nice to meet you." He set his shoes to the side and reclaimed his seat, choosing to sit beside the name rather than mess it up. "You are the one from last night, right?"Ian nodded, eyes searching."Why the color change?" Mickey pointed to his tail that was slowly moving back and forth below the water. "I didn't know mermaids could do that."Ian didn't nod this time, he didn't do anything aside from stare right back at him. It felt like Ian was looking right into his soul, into his mind. Trying to understand, or look for danger of some kind."You remember seeing that girl before, when you were on the shore?" Mickey asked instead of figuring out the color angle.Ian nodded, eyebrows drawn in."That's Mandy, my sister." Mickey smiled when Ian's eyes widened. "Yeah, she told me she saw you. She wouldn't stop talking about it and I didn't believe her, but I should have."Ian tilted his head, frowning.Mickey figured he was probably trying to ask why. "I've never seen one of you before. Not with my own eyes. I guess I convinced myself you weren't real. But I’m happy I was wrong.”It was odd to think that only two months ago he hadn't believed Mandy about what she saw. Not all the way at least. And now here he was, talking to the same mermaid. More like talking at, instead of to. Ian seemed to want to talk but didn't actually want to speak."She also said that you were hurt." Mickey made sure to keep his voice soft, even. "Are you?"It took a while, but Ian nodded, his face drawn up in a look of anguish, of confusion."Can I see?" This time Ian shook his head, sinking further into the water. Mickey held up his hands, trying to show that he meant no harm. "Easy man, I'm not gonna hurt you. I just wanted to see if you were okay."It surprised him when Ian moved closer. Mickey sucked in a sharp breath. Up close, Ian was more beautiful than he first thought. He could see more than just the color of his eyes, or each delicate gem around his face. Ian was undeniably beautiful.He had sharp features, his sturdy jaw, a little crooked on one side. His prominent cheekbones, the straightness of his nose. Ian's lips looked a little too pink, almost like he was wearing lipstick. Soft looking. His gills looked very delicate, see through, as he stared at them, lightly tinted blue instead of ears.It was odd to find him attractive. Not because he was a guy because Mickey had long since accepted that he was gay and attracted to men. But because they were two different species. Very similar but not at the same time. But he was attracted, in every way possible, not just sexually."I promise I won't hurt you." Mickey repeated, putting aside all those thoughts to focus on right now. "Could be a hook, or a piece of wood from a boat."Ian shook his head and slowly turned to the side. Mickey tried not to move but his tail was so incredible, all those scales lapped over each other. Shining under the bright sun. It really did look like gold. But about halfway down, a big chunk of those scales were missing, replaced by raw, pink skin and there was something lodged inside it."Fuck, that looks like it hurts." Mickey longed to reach out and help him, but he barely had his trust. It would be a mistake to touch him. "Can't get it out?"Ian shook his head no, then that beautiful tail moved back below the water. Mickey missed it looking at it already.A commotion from below had them both jumping. Mickey cursed at the annoying sound of Iggy's voice and knew his time with Ian was over for now. He glanced at the water, surprised to see him still floating there, green eyes wide, frightened."They won't bite, that's just my brother and my crew." Mickey explained. Even when he didn't know if what he said was true or not. But he had no intention of telling them. "But they are rather loud."Ian nodded, sinking lower."Will you come back?" Mickey asked before he was too far under. "Maybe tonight if you want?"Ian looked back and forth, seeming to be on the lookout for something but didn't find it. Mickey was so relieved when Ian nodded yes to his questions and held one webbed hand up.Mickey's eyes were wide at the gesture. But he held his hand up too, making sure to keep it absolutely still as Ian swam closer. It was so hard not to reach out and touch him. To see if Ian's hair felt the same as his own, or what his skin might feel like. He just kept still, studying every inch of Ian's face as their hands touched."You're beautiful." Mickey whispered, not meaning to say it aloud. Ian gave him a real smile this time and Mickey could have sworn his heart skipped a beat.Ian's hand was wet of course, dripping with water, but it was so smooth, like a baby's. His skin was lighter than his own, and the webbing didn't freak him out, not at all. It was interesting, to say the least."Better go, don't want them to see you. They ask too many questions." Mickey hated himself for saying goodbye, but it wasn't safe for anyone to know about Ian. Himself included. These things were hunted for a reason, rare for a reason.With another small smile, Mickey watched Ian disappear beneath the water. The yellow gold of his tail gleaming until Ian got too deep to be seen and his heart hurt to watch him go. Now he felt alone, even when the rest of his crew surrounded him."Mick, we have a problem."Mickey stood, forcing himself to push the name formed from shells back into the water so they wouldn't see it. "What problem?" He asked, uninterested."Mandy just called, she said that Wilcox has been following us since we left Miami."He narrowed his eyes, no longer irritated at the interruption but at Willcox. "How the hell does she know this?"Iggy smiled, along with Quinn and Knox behind him. "She put a tracer on his boat, she wanted to keep an eye on him."Mickey laughed, that was definitely a Milkovich thing to do. He was impressed. "No shit, since when?""I guess since he found that mermaid a few months ago." Iggy explained and handed the tracking receiver to Mickey. "She said she didn't trust him when she talked to him about it. Wanted to keep an eye on him. He’s bad news yeah, but I didn’t think she hated him that much. Not enough to track him."Mandy was a smart motherfucker. That talk with Noah that she had a while back turned out to be a waste of time, just like he knew it would be. She came home pissed off, claiming he was lying to her. Not a far fetched idea, Noah was a damn liar. Which meant that his mermaid story was probably all bullshit."He's been following us the entire time?" Mickey asked, looking at the blinking dot that he knew was their boat. After they had that engine trouble, Mandy rigged the boat so she could always know where they were. "That the hell for?"Iggy shook his head. "No idea. He isn't even set to start for another month or two."The blinking red dot could only be Noah's boat and it looked like it was right on top of them. "This is fucking sketchy, guys." Mickey glanced out towards the open ocean and saw Noah's boat. "He go freelance or is he after something else?"Knox nodded. "We would have gotten word if he up and left. That shit spreads like it did in high school. No, this is something else. Something he’s being sneaky about.”Mickey nodded because he was right. "Maybe since he caught that mermaid, he's no longer interested in the simple shit. Might be trying to track down more of them, but I don’t know why he’d be following us.”Fuck this was bad. If Noah abandoned fishing in hopes to find and capture another mermaid, then Ian was in serious fucking trouble. Noah was ruthless like the best of them, but he had no conscience. Knowing what he did about Noah, probably meant that the female mermaid he caught had been alive at some point. And now it wasn’t."Knox, you got my gun still?" Mickey asked and slipped the receiver into his jeans.Knox's eyes widened. "Course, Mick, got it locked in the box. Why?"The boat was approaching fast and Mickey moved back to the wheel and the water proof lock box hidden next to it. "Because Noah is an unpredictable bastard on the best of days and he just changed his entire fucking life for this." He grabbed the gun and tucked it at the small of his back before playing it cool. "I'm not taking any chances with him."Noah wasn't dangerous per say, but he was a wild card. Always had been and it was a mistake to assume you knew him when no one really did. And now, not knowing where his head was or why he was following them, Mickey wasn't going to let his guard down. He had to protect his guys, and now Ian. He’d be damned if he let anything happen to him."Mick," Iggy started but stopped, eyes wide, unsure."Just play it cool, boys." Mickey fixed his hat and glanced at the map as Noah's boat slithered alongside his. "But be aware, he steps foot on this boat and I will shoot him."Knox was the only one who smiled, who approved of his harsh methods. That was still legal in most places. Shooting people who stepped onto another man’s boat without an invite."Milkovich!!" Noah shouted, a playful sound in his voice.Mickey stood, one hand going to his lower back out of instinct and moved past his shocked crew and moved back to where he and Ian had been. Ian...he was praying Ian was far away from this guy and promised that if or when Ian came back, he would warn him. He needed to know who to look out for, which would be literally everyone…aside from him."Wilcox," Mickey managed a fake smile as he leaned against the side of the boat. "Maybe you're still confused. You know the triangle is mine."Noah managed his own smile. "It's big enough for the both of us. Don't you think?""No, it's not. Only you seem to think so." Mickey gave him a pointed look. So far, no one had been on Noah's side. "You ditch work because you can't have your way? Because I’m not giving up my route because you’re bored with yours.”"Kinda," Noah smiled salaciously. "I found a new place of employment that pays quadruple what we got paid before because it's twice as dangerous."Noah was hunting mermaids, just like the rest of those disgraceful people the news had been talking about for months. Fishing was one thing, it was needed for food and to keep the population from reaching an all-time high, but mermaids? People didn't eat the damn things, or he sure as fuck hoped not. And there was no need to control their population because they were rare, probably close to extinction. Noah was in it for fame and the money."Then fuck off," Mickey smiled as he said it, a silent fuck you to his actual fuck you. "I have actual work to do here, unlike some people.""You always were an asshole, Mick," Noah shook his head, amused. "Maybe after this next payday, I'll show you the money you could make if you join me. Bigger boat, bigger house, more dick than you can get on your own."Mickey clenched his teeth as his crew shifted uncomfortably behind him. Only Mandy knew he was gay, and for good reason. People seemed to lose a certain amount of respect for you when they realize you like dick instead of pussy. Not even Iggy knew, but he had a hint. Knox and Quinn, not clue. Until now. And how the fuck Noah found out was anyone's guess considering Mickey was careful who he picked up, and where it went down."Well, I like my boat and my house just as they are and I never needed anybody's help gettin ass." Mickey sneered, not willing to take the bait like Noah wanted him to. "Now, should I repeat my flattering goodbye or do you get the picture?"Noah signaled his helmsman and slowly pulled away, looking into the water as he did so. "I know he's around here Mickey, I've seen him."It was extremely hard not to react to that. Noah already knew about Ian somehow. Shit. That was not good. Noah was a shark and Ian was this fragile, delicate, beautiful creature...and he was hurt. This wasn’t good, in fact, it was worse than he thought."What's he talkin about?" Quinn asked for everyone.Mickey shook his head, lying directly to Noah and his crew. "No fucking idea. I guess that's what happens when you go off your meds, right Noah?""Lie all you want Milkovich, but I know you know."Mickey clenched his teeth."And you know me well enough to know that I never give up when I want something. Never."The side of the boat creaked under the pressure of his grip. Noah was getting further away with each heavy breath he took. Panic was clawing him from the inside, imagining Ian like that other mermaid Noah found. And even if he didn't know Ian as much as he wanted to, there was no way he would let anything happen to him."Should we know what that was about?" Iggy asked, eyes curious.Mickey shook his head. "I can only guess it has to do with that mermaid he found a few months ago. That's why he's not fishing anymore."Quinn scoffed. "That sick fucking bastard."Mickey couldn't agree more. "I can almost bet that one had been alive before Noah got to it. Now he's looking for more.""Mick, he seemed to think you know about one close to here." Iggy stated carefully. "Do you?"Don't lie...don't lie...don't lie…"No, I have no idea what he's talkin about." Mickey lied, making his stomach turn painfully. "Come on, let's get back to work."He hated to lie to them. Or Mandy. But Ian was safer if only he knew about him. If too many people knew, it would be easier for Noah to find out and they all knew how that would turn out. They'd have another dead mermaid on their hands.The boys went back to work and Mickey closed his eyes, resting his head on top of his arms folded on the side of the boat. He needed to be careful too, about when he met Ian at night, or during the day now. Noah could be spying on them, waiting for him to make his move and Ian would be as good as gone."Be careful, Ian." Mickey whispered as he opened his eyes and saw there was one single pink tinted shell at his feet. One that hadn't been there before.He bent down, making sure to hide it from any prying eyes and picked it up. It was wet, as if it had just been placed there. Mickey grinned and closed his fist around it as he stood and saw the tip of a yellow tail dive deep into the water."I see you, Ian," Mickey put the shell into his pocket, squeezing as he smiled. "I see you."
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The Devil's TriangleChapter 4- Under The Sea (Ian's POV) Ian didn't quite understand this feeling inside him because he'd never felt it before, not within nearly two-hundred years of living. The only thing he could describe it as, was warm. It was warm and lovely and it had that feeling of home that he hadn't felt in decades.That human, the one with eyes the same color as the ocean he loved so much. He'd never seen one so lovely before, with the brightest smile and a laugh that made his stomach flutter.It didn't take very much to follow him, his boat. He moved slowly enough for him to keep up, putting strange nets in the water for a reason Ian hadn't figured out yet. But he was never alone. There were always three loud humans with him at all times. Saying things he didn't understand, full of smiles and laughter for the human with the ocean eyes.Ian saw him for the first time when he was on land, just after he got hurt. The human was on the shore by the lighthouse, asleep, dreaming if he remembered correctly. He wasn't dangerous with hooks or traps, but soft as he slept. Harmless and beautiful and Ian had stayed for as long as he possibly could before he woke up. Now he felt drawn to him.Ian was up on land for a reason, his tail had been so damaged that he had to crawl up the beach and take refuge amongst the sharp rocks hidden behind the light house. It made it hard to swim, hard to get away from those angry humans that were after him. He has to take care of it. Whatever was stuck in his tail, wouldn't come out and Ian had tried everything including taking sharp objects to try and dig it out, but it wouldn't leave.Even as the sunset turned into sunrise and his legs appeared, the object was still buried deep within his skin. It was lodged in the upper part of his tail, or his thigh for those few long, miserable hours he was forced to look at them. It was dark in color, but sharp, like a knife and it had a small red blinking light at one end.It wouldn't come out and it was putting strain on his tail when he swam. Or his legs when he had to sit on the beach, because he had no idea how to use his legs. That's what curses were about. To damage you, to make your life miserable and every time he was forced into that temporary human form, the wound grew in size. Making it raw and painful in the salt water. Attracting predators he'd rather avoid, and not the human kind.That's when that girl saw him, before the human male by a few hours. Ian hadn't expected to be found, much less on land and it had been just seconds before his legs morphed back into his tail. For a moment, he thought she would hurt him since he was already hurt and vulnerable. But all she did was stare with her mouth open, looking like she had been in shock upon seeing him. He managed to escape, surprised when she didn't follow him into the water or a boat hadn't appeared hours later looking for him.That was before he met the human, Mickey, as he said his name was. Still soft looking even when he was awake, with his incredible eyes. Trying to get him to come closer or to talk. Calling him beautiful, something Ian hadn't heard from his kind before.Ian hadn't meant to come so close to the boat that night, but something had attracted him towards it and the more he fought it, the harder the pull was. He took a risk and it turned out for the better. Mickey was as interesting as he was mysterious and Ian had been weary of him the entire time, yet nothing bad had happened.He even saved him from drowning that first night he fell into the water. Ian created a big enough wave to push him to the boat and the next day he received the sweetest thank you. Mickey had tried communicating with him, even when he wasn't sure they spoke the same language. Gave him his name like it meant nothing, like his name wasn't as sacred as it should have been, as his was.Giving one's name to strangers was dangerous. So many bad things could happen just from giving the wrong person your name. Ian experienced that for himself and to this day he had to live with the consequences. So why did he like that Mickey knew his name, or the way he said it?Mickey got him to smile, something he couldn't remember the last time he actually smiled. Before his curse maybe, all those years ago. But Mickey liked to smile, Ian liked when he smiled and made him smile. He liked when he allowed Mickey to touch him; using their most intimate greeting with a human, touching hands like he was a mermaid like him. Mickey hadn't scared him or tried to grab him and keep him, he simply let their hands touch and seem grateful for the contact.Ian couldn't get his human, couldn't get Mickey off his mind. Not even as he watched the underside of the boat from below, sitting on top of a large rock deep under the water. He wanted to go up again, to see him and talk. To get that flutter in his stomach when Mickey smiled. But it wasn't safe.Mickey's was not the only boat on the water. There was another. One he'd seen many times since he got hurt. It seemed to be where he was at all times, like it knew where and when he would swim to another spot. And now that he stayed, unwilling to leave Mickey, the other boat stayed as well. Only a few hundred feet away, but he still hadn't gone back to the surface yet. It was too dangerous to be seen."Curious." Ian murmured to himself as a playful little fish wove around his tail in a spiral. "Any idea when I should go up?" He asked the little fish, not expecting an answer but there was no one else to ask. "Yeah," Ian sighed deeply, a little unhappily. "Me either."The water was getting darker, which meant the sun was going down. Ian looked down the length of his tail and watched the yellow orange scales bloom into greenish blue. He didn't even feel the change, or that of the gems around his eyes or down the length of his back. It just felt like a strong wave moved across his body and suddenly he was a different color.Ian smiled when he remembered how amazed his human was at the change. Mickey even asked him how it was possible but their little nodding agreement wouldn't allow him to explain in detail why mermaids had two different colors. It was for survival, of course. Just like the strength of their tail to ward off predators, or to be able to swim faster for longer, or the sound of their voice, if not being careful, could lure humans into the water, to their death. It was all about survival.If a human saw him as a mermaid with a yellow tail, they would always be on the lookout for that color and not think twice upon seeing one with another color tail. Deception. It was also linked with the sun and the moon, one set of colors for the daylight hours and another set of colors for the nighttime hours.Showing Mickey both his colors was something he had never done before. Not with anyone...well, maybe one person. The same person he had to "thank" for his curse, for the human flesh in the shape of useless legs. The one mistake that he could never get away from.And Mickey seemed to enjoy both sets of colors equally. Beautiful; it was a word he'd heard many times from him over the last few days and each time he heard it, his stomach would flutter in that unusual way.But what really shocked him was Mickey asking about his tail. If he was hurt and able to get it out, whatever it was. Offering to get it out had him a little nervous. In his lifetime, the human touch had been vile, painful. They used hooks and knives or traps and spears, or looks, as he himself had been trapped by a pretty face only one other time. But Mickey backed off when he panicked, held his hands up like he meant no harm and no harm had been done. Mickey wasn’t dangerous.Mickey was good, and Ian was just beginning to accept that without a doubt."I think it's time," Ian said as he tickled the fish's tail, making him swim away. "It's time."Ian had a bit of a hard time swimming off the top of that rock, his tail was stiff, cascading with sharp pains and not even the two dozen clams he managed to eat that day helped dull the pain like it normally did. After a few painful twists, he managed to swim up to the bottom of the boat, running his fingers along the jagged muscles stuck to the bottom of it. He swam around the many nets that scraped the bottom of the floor, picking up what he figured must be treasures of some kind. If the nets weren't for him or others like him, he didn't know their purpose.By the time he swam around the boat, mindful of the sharp propeller, the sun was fully set behind the clouds and the moon was peeking from behind the water. The other boat still hadn't moved from its place and Ian felt confident he would be safe enough to swim up.Ian did as he always did when coming up, he hovered below the surface to observe what he could without the shield of water. The boat was quiet as it was most nights, only a few dim lights on top and no sounds of Mickey's other humans. But he could hear Mickey walking, the beat he recognized by the sway of his hips as he walked, confident, determined.Ian slowly emerged from the water, not minding the wind against his gills as much as he used to and moved his tail slowly under him, keeping him steady against the waves."Come on, Ian," Mickey whispered. "Where are you?"Ian smiled at the sound of his name on Mickey's lips, and the fact that he had already been searching for him far before he came to the surface. Up until now, he'd gotten Mickey's attention by splashing him, but the human must be running out of dry clothes by this point and Ian wasn't really sure how else to signal he was there.With nothing else to use, not including his actual voice which he hadn't used yet, Ian gave a little splash, flipping water with his tail against the side of the boat."Ian?"His stomach gave that nervous flutter again at Mickey's voice and it only intensified when he came to the side of the boat, smile already in place. Ian offered his own smile, or a fraction of it and watched ocean eyes take in as much of his appearance as he could see."Shit, there you are." Mickey kicked his shoes off and took a seat on the deck. "I was worried."A human worried about a mermaid. Ian thought there was no such thing until this moment. And Mickey did look worried, his eyes gazed across his body, maybe looking for signs of new wounds, and relaxed when he found none."You okay?" Mickey asked.Ian nodded, like he usually did when Mickey asked a question. Then he looked out into the dark water, towards that boat and he knew when Mickey realized what he was asking."Yeah, that's why I was worried." Mickey handed him a pair of binoculars.Ian cocked his head to the side as he slowly reached up to take them. He looked at Mickey, silently asking."Hold 'em up to your eyes and look at the boat." Mickey mimicked the use of binoculars. "It'll help you see."Ian held them up to his face, blinking quickly at the foreign feeling. It took awhile for his eyes to adjust, then longer to make out the shape of a boat and finally knew what he was looking at. Ian could see people walking up top, using the same device he was, using nets and traps as well as hooks at the end of spears."You ever see that boat before?"Ian pulled the device back and handed it up to Mickey as he nodded and blinked quickly for his eyes to adjust."You need to stay away from that boat, at all times." Mickey warned. "He seems to know that you're here, and he's not as nice as I am. He’s dangerous, Ian. He’s after you, I think. I’m not sure why, but someone is paying him for it.”Ian instantly knew who they were; hunters. The same ones that had injured him and took his friend away. They were dangerous, monstrous. Everything Mickey wasn't. He was right, they had been following him as he thought, but the how was still unknown to him."It's hard to tell when you're going to come up like this, so just make sure that boat isn't around when you do."Ian nodded, sinking deeper without realizing it. He turned away from the boat and all those awful thoughts and focused on Mickey. Even without using his eyes, Ian could feel Mickey's eyes on him, looking over every inch of him he could, like he always did."But I'm glad you're okay, I was kinda on the lookout for you all day." Mickey laughed nervously.Ian let out a similar sound without meaning to and those ocean eyes widened, looking a little surprised. It was easy to forget to be mysterious around him, easy to be himself, even if he took a long time doing so."It kinda sounds like church bells when you laugh." Mickey said after the shock wore off. "Or birds singing."Ian didn't know what church bells were and the birds he'd heard had been loud and obnoxious but he couldn't mean that, right? He tilted his head, saying he didn't understand and Mickey held up his finger."Not like annoying seagulls or anything, but like song birds." Mickey took out his phone and quickly googled it until the sound played from his phone.Ian flinched, sinking lower at the sound. It didn't seem dangerous, just new and weird but the sound was nice enough that he rose back up, eyes focused on Mickey's hands and that beautiful sound."Beautiful, right?"Ian nodded, smiling up at him. So, he let out another laugh, and then another until Mickey's smile was as bright as the moon. He was the beautiful one, even if he wore those bulky human clothes and had hand legs instead of a tail."I really need to record that sometime, that way I can play it when you're not around." Mickey put away his phone and brought out the pink shell.Ian felt his face heat up upon seeing the little gift he left earlier. It had been a last minute choice, he caught one of the shells he used to spell his name as it sank back to the floor and risked being caught so he could set it back on the boat. He just didn't think Mickey would have kept it."Thank you for leaving this." Mickey rubbed over it with his thumb. "I didn't want to get rid of the others but I'm sure they would have seen it."Ian nodded in full understanding. Mickey was keeping his humans away from him, even after swearing they wouldn't do him any harm. That's why he left that one shell and Mickey seemed to like it."I have something for you too, if you want it."Ian's eyes widened a little and moved closer to the boat to see what Mickey had in his hand. Already he wanted it, it was shiny and round and gleaned under the light of the moon."Nothing as good as a shell, but I found it a few years ago when I was working." Mickey smiled happily and leaned down to place the coin in the palm of Ian's hand. "Supposed to be an old pirate coin but who knows where it actually came from."Ian thought it was much better than a simple shell he found at the bottom of the ocean. He had seen millions just like it before and had no idea why Mickey seemed to like it. But he had never seen a coin like this before. The letters were worn down, making it unreadable, the salt water made it shine better than when it was made."Thank you." Ian whispered out loud and heard Mickey gasp. He looked up, ocean eyes wide. Those were his first words to Mickey."You're welcome." Mickey replied dumbfounded, his eyes a little too wide. "I love your voice."Ian smiled shyly. "I like yours, too." He said back, unable to glance away from his eyes, even with his shiny new treasure."This is gonna sound fucking weird." Mickey started, blushing halfway through. "But can we do that hand touch thing again?"Ian was included to say yes, even without Mickey's reasoning for wanting it again."I keep thinking about it. It gives me this strange feeling, like…" he trailed off, not knowing how to word it.But Ian knew. Touching like that, hand to hand was more intimate than kissing, at least to his kind. No one ever said why, but the feelings created after seemed to be the reason behind it. Feelings like what Mickey was trying to explain. Feelings that would only amplify if it kept happening.Ian couldn't or wouldn't say no. Instead of saying yes, Ian simply transferred the coin to his right hand and held up his left. It was a little too far down to reach Mickey's extended hand, until he gave a little twist of his tail and a wave swept him up higher, holding him there much like when he saved Mickey."You control the water, too?" Mickey asked, truly amazed.Ian shook his head. "Nothing controls the water, Mickey, but it helps those who need it."Mickey nodded, too entranced with the way Ian said his name to ask too many questions at the moment. He held his hand up, just like last time and kept as still as possible.Ian extended his hand, pressing it lightly against Mickey's and the feeling was instant. It felt like power, like love and excitement. Ian could feel Mickey's pulse, his heart beating like crazy.Their eyes met and Ian noticed that the color of Mickey's eyes, as well as his own, together matched the color of his tail. A weird thought to have in that moment, but he couldn't unthink it."It feels so incredible." Mickey gasped, shivering.Ian nodded and linked their fingers as much as possible since Mickey's weren't webbed like his own. "It feels like pure energy."Mickey nodded, squeezing a little. "It feels like magic." Mickey leaned down, aware that he was leaning far over the boat."You have to resist that feeling, Mickey." Ian whispered and put his other hand on Mickey's chest, keeping him from leaning in further. "Otherwise you will end up in the water.""What if I want to be in the water?" Mickey responded automatically, still leaning down. "I want to see you swim.""The water is much too rough tonight." Ian kept pushing him back and unlinked their fingers even when he didn't want to. Even when he missed the feeling. But Mickey seemed to snap out of it, coming back to himself. "How do you feel now?"Mickey twitched, his body feeling off, feeling like it was missing something. But he didn't feel the need to be in the water now. "What was that?"Ian smiled, letting the water lower him away from the boat so they wouldn't be tempted to touch again. "They call mermaids dangerous for a reason, Mickey. Or have you not heard?""I've heard that before, but you don't seem dangerous." Mickey clenched and unclenched his hands, feeling whatever it was just below his skin. "How can that be dangerous?""If I'd have let you, you'd have followed me into the water just now." He watched Mickey think it over before he nodded. "And you'd have drowned."Mickey's eyes widened a little. "I wanted to follow you, Ian. I still do, only it's not as strong. Did you mean to do that?"Ian shook his head, choosing to look at his coin again instead of Mickey's eyes. "It doesn't happen to everyone who meets a mermaid because it's never been like it is with you and me. But it's something about me that makes you want to come into the water, even when you shouldn't."Mickey nodded. "I only remember that happening once before. The day I went to the beach, when my sister told me she saw you."Ian nodded because he had been there and this had happened then as well. His tail barely touched Mickey that time and he was already trying to slip below the waves. It was too dangerous, so he left, making sure Mickey didn't drown that day."You were there, weren't you?"Ian nodded again. "I go there from time to time because the water is too rough for boats. The rocks make sure of it. It's safe there.""So, what? Mermaids make people want to go into the water? Like all those myths about sirens luring men to their deaths?" Mickey asked, remembering when Mandy said that a few months back during her research period."Similar, I'm afraid. But in those instances, it was used as protection from hunters that wanted us dead." Ian hadn't meant to share so much, but there was something about his human… "We only have a few things to protect ourselves, but I do not wish your death Mickey. So you must stay out of the water if that feeling comes back."Mickey nodded even if he didn't fully understand. "Maybe when it wears off?" He asked with a smile.Ian grinned this time, fully aware of the way Mickey's widened. "Maybe, if you're a good swimmer."Mickey chuckled. "Of course I am. Anyone on the water needs to know how to swim.""I agree." Ian sunk a little lower again, this time because his tail was throbbing as it did when he worked himself too hard."You okay?""Just my tail." Ian tried to relax a little, letting the water help him float instead of himself. "Still can't get that thing out.""You sure you don't want me to help?" Mickey offered again, hoping Ian said yes to him this time. "Or at least let me take a closer look and maybe tell you what it is?"Ian wanted to say yes. He wanted that awful thing out of him before it caused permanent damage. But he just felt so exposed like that, even around Mickey. Even without meaning to."Thank you for the offer Mickey, but…" Ian couldn't say why but he didn't need to.Mickey nodded. "The offer stands at any time, Ian. I just don't want it to get worse."It had been getting worse. Every day it was worse. It made him stiff, unable to swim as well as he should have been able to and the pain was constant. The skin around it was raw, unsheltered by scales that refused to grow around it. But it had been caused by humans, and now another human wanted to see it.His body just refused the help."I know you hang around my boat sometimes, but where is home for you?" Mickey asked, changing the subject to make him feel less uncomfortable.Home. That was something he almost forgot. Each day without it put it further from his memory and he hadn't decided if that was a good thing or a bad thing. Either or, he missed it. "I have a few places," Ian smiled, his places were far from what he was used to but that was home for him. "It's not really home, but it's safe and it's mine."Mickey nodded, fully understanding that sometimes you have to make your own home. "Any family?"Looking away, Ian shook his head. "My family has been gone for decades."Mickey lifted his eyebrows at that. "Decades, huh?" Ian nodded again. "Exactly how old are you?""It gets hard to keep track after a while, but I make sure to remind myself every hundred years or so." Ian didn't expect Mickey to laugh at that, but it was different from his other laugh, a little nervous sounding if Ian had to put a word to it. "What is it?""Nothing," Mickey laughed again, turning the shell over in his hands. "I thought maybe you'd say twenty years old or something like that. Not shoot up to the hundreds.""Are you only twenty years old?" Ian asked, tilting his head a little.Mickey nodded. "More like twenty-five but yeah, in the 20's. I guess it's safe to say you are way too old for me." He chuckled again."Two-hundred and eighty-five is quite a bit older than only twenty-five years, but I have a feeling that humans age a little differently than we do." Ian hadn't seen many humans up close like this but living on land must age you faster than moving in the water. He was quite a bit older than Mickey but looked younger."Holy Shit, two-hundred and eighty-five years old?" He asked, shocked. Finding no signs of age on his perfect face. "Whatever the secret is to eternal youth, make sure you don't let anyone know or everyone will last forever.""Even I won't last forever, Mickey, but most mermaids don't live long enough to die the natural way." He glanced back towards the other boat, feeling a chill up his spine even from being that far away. "And you're the only human I've talked to in over a hundred years, so I think the secret is safe.""That's a long time, Ian." Mickey gave a sad smile."What about friends?""I had one," Ian looked back up, almost wishing he was up there or Mickey was in the water. "She was captured a few months ago. Taken the same day that thing got stuck in my tail."Mickey knew Ian's friend had been the mermaid that Noah had found a few months ago. And to think that he could have gotten Ian instead, or also gave him a bad feeling in the pit of his stomach. "I'm sorry about your friend."Ian smiled sadly. "Thank you." Ian could feel the sun, still a few hours from rising but he felt the burn, and could feel that panic set in. "I need to go." He said quickly, saddened by the look on Mickey's face. "I'm sorry."Mickey nodded. "It's late, or early. Guess we have been taking longer than I expected." Mickey also glanced back as the sky began to get lighter. "I'll be here whenever you want to come back, just keep a lookout."Ian nodded, sinking lower with the coin firmly in his palm. "Thank you, Mickey, for the coin." He quickly dug through the crown on his head made from shells and flowers from the sea and found the large pearl he'd found this morning. "This is for you."Mickey watched in awe as the water lifted Ian up again and held his hand out. The pearl was huge, the biggest one he'd ever seen. He closed his hand around it as Ian sank back down. "Thank you. Be careful.""You too, Mickey."Ian had to force himself to go back under the water and swim as fast as possible. The waves were in his favor this time, guiding him to that underwater cave he found years ago. It took a little over an hour to swim, longer because he was hurt. But it was almost too late. He could feel that painful prickle through his tail, warning him to hurry."Almost there." He whispered to himself and swam faster but the water in his lungs was already starting to burn, his body was rejecting it every second the sun came out from hiding.The opening to the cave was all the way at the bottom of the ocean. Ian swam inside, holding his breath the entire way up, feeling his tail changing. He almost didn't make it. But he did, barely. Ian broke free of the water just as he coughed up a mouthful of water and had to pull himself to the rocks on the shore.Only half of the cave was filled with water, the other half was just like the beach on land. Soft sand and warm rocks, but no sun or any light at all. Ian had to claw his way up the sand, groaning as that object dug deeper into the skin of his left leg.By the time he made it, he was exhausted, trying to relearn how to breathe air after almost twenty-two hours under the water."I hate this." Ian whispered, close to tears, glancing down at his legs. Pale and weak, and damaged on one side. Useless. He'd long forgotten how to use them, now he just had to wait it out, wait until his tail came back.It was only for a few hours, but in that time, without his tail and the feel of the ocean against his skin, Ian was forced to lay there and remember exactly how and why he had legs.It was his own fault, trusting a human all those years ago, falling in love with him. It hadn't ended how he thought it would, how he was promised it would turn out. His heart had been broken and he had gotten stuck with a pair of legs he never wanted, a curse.All for loving the wrong person too much, and then loving the ocean more than that one human. Now he was on that path again, with Mickey as the treasure on the other side. With his kind heart and his ocean eyes, Ian knew if he let himself, he would easily love Mickey, far more than he did before.Maybe that would be enough to break his curse...maybe then he could be happy.The man with ocean eyes.
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The Devil's TriangleChapter 5- The Storm Mickey was lying on his bed, staring at the pictures Mandy drew of Ian and how realistic they looked. Right down to the scales on his hairline to the gems around the corners of his eyes, it was perfect. When he brought them out, he had every intention to call her and tell her what had been happening over the last few days. Just to reassure her that Ian was alive despite being hurt and that Noah was running around like a bulldog with his teeth showing. Maybe see if she had any more information on mermaids now that he was listening, now that he believed her.Which he would never hear the end of, by the way. That she had been right the whole time and for him to apologize like he promised he would if he actually saw Ian. Maybe he would even tell her about what was going on; the small gifts traded between the two of them, that overwhelming feeling of wanting to be in the water where Ian was.Ian had all but admitted that sirens, or mermaids, had the ability to manipulate the feelings of others to protect themselves. That the myths about mermaids being dangerous, or luring men to their deaths was real. That it was a survival strategy when people tried to harm or capture them. And if what he felt before was true, it wouldn't take much for Ian to talk him into getting into the water when it wasn't safe for him. To harm or kill him, survival or no survival. But he hadn't. Ian hadn't even used those mystical powers on Noah who was trying to kill or capture him because that's not who Ian was.Ian was innocent and beautiful and full of so much life. There was this glow under his skin like the sun was hidden just beneath the surface. It sounded like songbirds when he laughed and a church choir when he spoke...when they spoke.It was still hard to believe that Ian had spoken to him. Not just simple nods of his head, but actual words this time and it sounded just as beautiful as he imagined it would, better even.He learned so much last night; Ian's incredible age, bordering on three hundred years old, which was incredible considering he didn't look a day over eighteen. He learned that Ian’s friend had been the mermaid Noah captured, which was as awful as it sounded because it could have been Ian. They had been together when she had been taken, and Noah still managed to hurt Ian in the process, damaging him. Scaring him to the point where he didn't want help from a human, not even from him. Even when Ian trusted him.It was also a bit of a shock to discover that Ian had been on the beach that day when he'd gone looking for him, when he had that erotic dream. In that dream he had wanted to follow Ian in the water and woke up with a lung full of water, maybe he did more than slide off that rock when he woke up coughing, maybe he really had been drawn to his voice, wanting to follow him.All of it had been too much to process this morning and he opted to let the boys handle the morning rounds on their own. He tried to get Ian off his mind, food and a long, hot shower, even taking a nap which didn't work as well as he'd hoped. Ian was in his dreams as well as his reality. It left him tired and restless, it left him still looking at those drawings of Ian."Fuck." Mickey groaned, eyes tired as he reached for his phone and dialed Mandy. He sat back, drawings still in his hand when she answered."Hey Mick, how's it going?" Mandy asked happily."Goin good, probably won't need to stay for the whole month. Our freezers are pretty full already.""Good, maybe they'll offer you a bonus like last time you got your catch before the deadline."Mickey nodded, eyes moving to the drawings. "So, Noah showed up. Thanks for mentioning the tracker you put on his boat.""You're welcome," Mandy laughed. "After he tried to bribe me with sex to get info on you, I kinda had no choice."God, Noah was as stupid as he thought if he thought Mandy would turn on him for the promise of sex. "He is an idiot, I swear to God. I don't know why he was even granted a damn licence.""Has he given you any trouble yet?"Aside from threatening Ian, not to mention hurting him, no he hadn't. "Not so far. But he did offer me a job with him, only he's not catching Tuna anymore."Mandy growled. "Are you fucking kidding me? He's hunting mermaids now?""Yeah, he is. Makes me believe that the one he caught before was alive when he found it."Mermaids found alive were easily worth 20 times then found dead. But both had a hefty pay off and most fisherman didn't think their capture methods through before attempting it."That piece of shit." Mandy huffed. "I knew he was hiding something when I asked him that day. But why would he think you would ever take a job like that? How stupid can he be?”Mickey sat up, letting his legs dangle off the top bunk, back against the side of the boat as he lit a smoke. "Because he knows about your mermaid, Mandy."Mandy gasped. "Oh no, you didn't tell him, did you Mickey?"He would normally snap at her for asking stupid questions like that but two weeks ago he wasn't even sure he believed her. Unlike now when he has first had knowledge that her mermaid; HIS mermaid; Ian, was real. But Mandy was worried, she had been the entire time and he couldn't get mad at her for it."No Mandy, I didn't say anything to Noah or to anyone." She let out a deep breath of relief, making him smile. "Now, I'm going to tell you something knowing you're gonna do me the same favor of not saying anything.""If it has to do with that mermaid, you know I won't say anything." Mandy promised.Maybe this was a mistake, maybe it was just what he needed. Mickey had no idea. But he promised Mandy he would keep a look out and now she had a right to know what was happening. He would only disclose Ian’s existence if it would prolong his life, his safety. And maybe it would."He's here, Mandy, the mermaid." Mickey caught himself before he said Ian. "I think he followed my boat from Miami."Mandy gasped. "You saw him?"Mickey smiled. "Yeah, I've seen him a lot." That feeling came back suddenly, making him want to get back into the water. To see him, to swim with him. To know him. The urge was so strong. "But there's more.""More like what?" Mandy asked, a little worried."He saved me, for one. I was drunk and fell off the side and he helped me get back onto the boat." Mickey smiled, remember being a smartass asking for help and it turned out that Ian really did help him. "I got him to come back somehow, making sure I wouldn't hurt him.""Holy shit, Mick." Mandy gasped, then giggled. "That's incredible! Did you see how beautiful he is?"Mickey smiled this time, unashamed to say it. "Yeah Mandy, I saw.""Tell me more, tell me all of it!!"There was so much to tell and it had adrenaline pumping through his body. Having someone else know, someone else believe him. Someone he trusted. Know about Ian was a hefty burden for one person, now Mandy would be able to help him. To talk and come up with ideas and get information."I talked to him," she gasped. "He didn't talk back, so I kinda talked at him. He seemed to understand but didn't want to talk to me.""Humans probably scare him." Mandy said sadly."Yeah, they do. But I told him my name and thanked him for saving me. Then he left and I thought I scared him away but he spelled his name out with a bunch of pink shells, right on the deck of the boat." Mickey smiled, one of those shells was currently in his hand."Oh wow, that's amazing!! So what's his name?""His name is, Ian." Mickey sighed, feeling a little smitten, even just saying the guys name. "Which is odd because I thought it would be something really complicated and hard to spell." He chuckled.Mandy laughed too. "Ian; such an adorable name. Hold on, let me Google it."Mickey flipped the shell in his hand while he waited. He could hear her talking to herself, mumbling. "So, whatcha got?""Ian is an Irish name, but there is no telling how old he is or where he came from." Mandy quickly read through the information. "It says Ian means God is gracious."Mickey didn't put too much stock into names and their meanings, or about God in general, but maybe He was gracious if he was lucky enough to meet Ian in his lifetime. Like Ian said, their new relationship was something that had never been done before because it was always capture first, question later and he knew how that ended up."Did he actually talk to you?" Mandy asked, forgetting about the name as quickly as she thought of it."Yeah, he did. His voice is amazing, like a bunch of birds singing or that amazing church music." He snorted, feeling sappy for even thinking shit like that. "It's hard to explain unless you hear it.""Yeah, it sounds a little strange. But I'd be excited to hear it too. Did you ask if he was still hurt?"Knowing that Ian was still hurt made him a little queasy. "Yeah, he showed me. It looks bad, Mandy, like someone; probably Noah, tried to stab him with something and a piece broke off.""What a bastard!" Mandy wanted to scream. "I hope he is okay, it can't be easy or safe being hurt like that.""It slows him down, wears him out." Mickey explained, remembering when Ian seemed a little weaker because of it. "Which freaks me the fuck out because Noah has been hovering around us since yesterday. I'm starting to think he put a tracker on my boat.""The boys checked for that shit before you left Miami and I'm sure one out of four of you would have noticed Noah's guys lurking around to place one there."That was true. One of them was always awake, no matter what. "How the hell did he find us then? I mean we run the same course but it's fucking creepy.""Maybe have them do another sweep, just to be sure but I don't think it's that. Maybe they have eyes in the sky this time since he's no longer working for the company that hired him."That was a solid idea. Noah did look like his boat had some massive upgrades since last season. And if he was working for someone who wanted a mermaid, they had to splurge to make sure he was successful catching one alive. Eyes in the sky would have an amazing vantage point, it would also give Noah everyone's location if he was close enough. And if the equipment was top of the notch shit, they might even be able to spot Ian."Shit, I really hope not, Mandy." Mickey rubbed nervously over his face. "I don't care if he follows me the rest of his boring ass life but what if he spots Ian from above?"Mandy gasped. "Shit, I didn't even think about that. Have you warned Ian to be careful, to stay away?""Of course, but Ian already knows because that mermaid Noah caught was his friend. They were together when she got caught and that's how Ian got hurt."This was getting him worked up, thinking about Noah hurting Ian in any way. It made him want to drive his boat over and shoot Noah between his eyes. And it would help Ian if Noah wasn't around, but then Mickey wouldn't be around either and that wouldn't help anyone."God, no wonder he freaked out when I saw him. I hate Noah so fucking much, more now then I did before."Mickey chose to keep the other shit to himself, the exchange of gifts because it was private, only between them. She didn't need to know. But he also kept Ian's age out of it as well, again, knowing how old he was wouldn't change anything. And there was no way he would tell her about that moment he and Ian had, about him nearly going into the water after him. Mickey didn't fully understand his feelings and didn't need outside opinions to tell him."Try not to worry so much, Mandy," Mickey needed to calm her down or she would hire a boat to take her to his and they would have another problem to deal with. "I won't let anything happen to Ian. I promise.""I know, Mick, but Noah is a cunning bastard and we don't know what kind of people he has in his corner now. Just watch your ass.""I will, but maybe you can dig around a little about who might have hired him? People in Miami talk and Noah had to tell someone what he was up to.""Yeah, I can ask around and see what I can dig up. Maybe find the company he works for."Mickey nodded, stuffing the pages back under his pillow and put the shell back in his pocket. "Thanks, just gimme a call if you find anything. I didn't even tell the boys so if they answer don't say anything.""Yeah, yeah. They can't keep their mouths closed about anything. I know. Just be careful, Mick, and make sure Ian is too. Love you."Mickey smiled because Mandy got it. "Love you, too."The call had him feeling ten times better than half an hour ago, more optimistic about Ian but more worried about Noah. Mickey took the stairs back up, seeing Iggy checking the nets like he asked. Knox was steering the boat into a different location and Mickey really hoped Ian followed. And Quinn was making sure the hatches to the freezers below were locked."Storm comin?" Mickey asked, snatching the binoculars from around the wheel.Knox nodded. "Mandy said it wouldn't be as bad as the ones before. Just makin sure we have shit ready if it does get bad."Mickey nodded, looking into the binoculars to see that Noah was following behind them slowly. It was better to keep him in his sights then it was to guess on where he might be. Mickey wasn't too keen on surprises."What's below lookin like Quinn?" Mickey motioned to the freezer doors. "Still ahead of schedule?""Damn right we are. The fish are practically swimming into the nets. Knox is heading towards Bermuda for half the drop off."Ahead was good, it took most of the pressure off and it also meant they had a good chance of making more money off of it. Bermuda was in high demand and they loved buying from him."You boy's find any trackers when you have her a once over before we left?" Mickey gave each of them the same look."Not a single one, in or around the boat, Mick." Iggy took the binoculars and glanced at Noah. "Think he bugged us? It doesn't take a rocket scientist to know which route we take.""No, it doesn't. But he didn't just stumble up on us. He knew we were here which is why I asked." Mickey watched the water as he spoke. Seeing how it was changing from the upcoming storm. Getting darker, more dangerous looking. The waves were rough, beating heavily against the side of the boat."When the storm passes, I can search again." Iggy offered. "It'll take about another hour or so to get here though."Mickey glanced up at the sun, watching dark clouds costume every single ray until it was nothing but gray. "Yeah, maybe a little over an hour. You guys wanna check below, Knox and I can check out here?"Iggy and Quinn nodded, moving quickly down the steps to begin their search. He and Knox took different sides of the boat, searching every nook and cranny for anything that might resemble a tracking device. He checked under piles of rope and between cages and in every single cupboard.By the time he felt a splash behind him, half of the boat had been checked. Mickey glanced down, seeing Ian's golden tail just under the surface. He glanced behind him, Knox was busy checking his side and watching the wheel, totally occupied."Ian?" Mickey whispered loudly over the waves for Ian to hear him just under the surface. Ian slowly emerged from the harsh waves, seemingly not bothered by them in the slightest. "You okay?"Ian nodded, glancing around. "Just wanted to make sure you were since the storm is coming."His heart would pop out of his chest if possible. Ian was worried about him, it was too sweet and thoughtful. Even with Noah hunting him and being hurt, he was still worried about him."Not to worry, we are used to the storms out here." He smiled, making Ian smile back. "What about you since your tail is hurt?" He was able to see the raw patch of scales even from on the boat. "You need to get to land or go deeper to get away from the waves?""The storm will reach us before I have time to get to land." Ian shook his head, a little worried. "I would have gone sooner but it came faster than I anticipated."Mickey could agree with that. He had been below for less than an hour and it changed drastically within that time. But now what? Land was too far, he could go below the storm but if he got caught, he wouldn't be able to swim away. This entire thing was giving him anxiety."We are headed closer to Bermuda," Mickey leaned down so he didn't have to whisper. "You wanna hang on and come with us? It'll be easier than trying to swim for it."Ian seemed to consider it. Green eyes looking back and forth, weighing his options. And Mickey didn't know how relieved he was until Ian nodded, looking a little shy as he did so."Good, that makes me worry less." Mickey laughed, feeling like Ian was his high school crush talking to him. "Anything you need to grab before we pick up speed?""Yeah, I have a few things below I want to bring. It won't take but a second."Mickey nodded. "I'll wait here for you, just be careful."God, he wanted to reach out and touch him so fucking bad it made his hands shake to resist. He wouldn't even have to lean over. The water was higher, the waves bringing Ian just along side the boat, within arms reach. He had a feeling Ian wanted the same by that look in his eyes."I will." Ian said softly just before sinking beneath the rough water.Mickey held his breath, seeing Ian go lower and lower until he couldn't see his tail shining anymore. While Ian was under, he kept a look out in all directions. Knox was back at the wheel, keeping the boat steady, Noah's boat was far enough away for him to feel okay about Ian this close. And the sky was too dark for anyone who might have been watching to see anything.It was all clear, so far and it allowed Mickey to focus on Ian. He stared down at the water, looking for any signs of him. But there was nothing below but dark blue water. No brilliant yellowish orange, or red hair. Nothing but water. Whatever Ian needed to get, he should have been up by now."Come on, Ian," Mickey whispered to himself, eyes frantically moving over the water for any signs of him. "It's taking too long." He glanced back, feeling that racing anxiety creeping back up. "It's taking far too long."Something had to be wrong. He could feel it. Whatever connection had been created between them let him know that something was wrong. He couldn't even fight it or try and talk himself out of it, the feeling was too strong.Mickey made the decision before he even thought about it. He made sure Knox was occupied, grabbed a knife from one of the cupboards against the side of the boat and sat down, letting the water wet his pants, already fighting the idea that this was not at all smart.Without making a sound, Mickey slipped into the water, treading as fast as he could to keep up with the harsh waves slapping against him. He took a minute to settle his mind, to clear away the fear of drowning or that something below might grab him, took a deep breath and dove under the water.The waves were unforgiving as he swam down against them. Propelling him up each time he dove deeper and he had to fight for each inch of water. Mickey looked around, blinking passed the sting of salt water and trying to look for Ian. Just as the air was starting to leave his lungs, he caught a flash of yellow deep down in the water.Ian.From what he could see, Ian was tangled in the net that scraped the bottom of the ocean. He could see Ian struggling against the waves, batting and pulling at the nets trying to get free. Then Ian was waving his arms up, spotting him only a dozen feet above, trying to signal him.Mickey needed air, he was running out of him and his chest began to ache. He held up a finger to Ian, telling him to hold on while he kicked his way to the surface. It seemed to take hours before he breathed the surface and took in multiple lungfuls of air, trying to ease that ache.Ian was stuck, Ian was trapped. Ian was afraid and panicking, much like he was. This was bad, this was so fucking bad. Mickey took a deeper breath, trapping as much air into his lungs as possible and dove back under, fighting like it was his life in the balance.When he reached the top of the net, Mickey held it tight and used to to climb down, anchoring himself as not to use so much energy. Ian was still fighting, trying to swim away from the net, reaching out for help.Mickey finally reached the bottom, seeing that half of Ian's tail was tangled. The net had tripped down one side, leaving too much slack and it latched onto him. Mickey flinched when Ian grabbed him, holding him down so he didn't float back up and he could see how scared he was.Even with the rush for time and air. Mickey took the time and gripped both sides of Ian's face, forcing scared green eyes to look into his. He couldn't speak, just using his eyes to communicate. Mickey pushed their heads together, calming them both as the waves battered against them. Ian's hands gripped his arms tightly, holding on just as tight as he held Ian.At that prickled in his chest, Mickey pulled away and dug into his boot for the knife. Ian flinched, trying to swim away when Mickey gripped the back of his neck and forced their eyes together. He was telling him it was okay, to trust him. That he wasn't going to hurt him. Ian seemed to believe him because he nodded, eyes wide and fearful.Mickey held the net as he swam lower, knife in hand and cut sections of it at a time. Making a hole big enough for Ian to wiggle his tail free. Ian was out, gripping both sides of his soaking wet shirt and swimming up to the surface as fast as possible. His ears popped, the remaining air in his lungs was gone, until they breached the surface and he took a deep panicked breaths."Are you crazy!!" Ian nearly scramed, holding onto him by his shirt so he didn't sink from the force of the waves. "You could have died."Mickey held onto him, one arm around his waist, the other around his shoulders to grip the back of Ian's neck. It put their faces very close together, allowing Mickey to count the gems around Ian's eyes."I knew something was wrong. You were taking too long." Mickey's voice was raspy, burning. "You needed help."Ian shook his head, so angry he was near tears. "You will not survive in the water right now, Mickey. A storm is coming and you could have died."Mickey nodded, lightly squeezing his neck. "You could have died too!" He huffed back, trying not to get so worked up. "The net would have drug you for miles, against rocks and whatever the hell else is down there. You needed help so I came after you."Ian laughed as they he put their heads together and let the waves move around them. "Are all humans as stupid as you are?"Mickey laughed, now stroking the side of Ian's jaw with his thumb. "No, just me."This was surreal. Being this close to him, holding him. Even feeling his tail lightly swishing below, it wasn’t that gold color anymore, but that beautiful bluish green. Mickey was looking right into his eyes, swearing on everything he had that he could see galaxies in his eyes. Ian was safe, he was safe. They were together and safe."Thank you," Ian wrapped both arms around Mickey's body, lightly gripping him. "You didn't have to, but you saved me."Mickey nodded, looking from pink lips to green eyes and back again. "I owed you one."He wasn't sure how long they stayed like that, wrapped up in each other, never once looking away from each other's eyes. They didn't care about the storm or the possibility of getting caught, just each other in that moment."Mickey!!!"They were ripped from their own world at the harsh should of Knox's voice. Mickey started to swim even with Ian in his arms and together they made it to the back side of the boat, far from view of the deck. Mickey reached up to grip the rope tied to the boat and pulled them against the side, out of view."Please don't tell me you lost your captain…"Mickey cursed at Noah's voice, hearing it and the sound of his laughing crew even over the waves. He glanced at Ian, only inches away from his face and noticed that he was shaking, his entire body trembling."Nope, he's below. Safe and sound." Knox answered.Mickey felt Ian's grip tighten around his back, keeping him close. It allowed him to use his other hand and lightly cover Ian's mouth, making sure he didn't talk right now. Watery green eyes stared at him, afraid. Afraid of Noah."As long as we are quiet, he won't hear us, okay?" Mickey whispered, keeping his hand in place even as Ian nodded. "I won't let him hurt you, okay?"Ian nodded again, a whimper escaping his lips only to be caught by Mickey's hand."You sure, Knox? I could have sworn he jumped into the water." Noah spoke again.Mickey clenched his teeth, knowing damn well that his crew would cover for him and trust that even if he did jump in, that he could handle himself. Noah must have seen him jump in, then instantly drove over to his boat. That bastard."Mickey knows better, Noah. Now fuck off away from his boat and leave us alone."Mickey laughed and it made Ian cock his head to the side, confused as to why he would be laughing at a time and place like this. "They're gonna make him leave."Ian sagged against him, worn out and relieved by that news. Mickey moved his hand back under the water, around Ian's waist and held most of his weight, giving his tail a break. Ian even laid his head against his shoulder, nearly hugging him.On his back, Mickey could feel more gems running the length of his spine. One gem for each vertebrae until his skin morphed into a scaled tale. And he wanted to touch it, so fucking bad, but forced his hand to rest in the center of his back instead."When you haul him from the water, ask him what he's been hiding from you."Ian flinched. "Shhh," Mickey whispered in his ear, trying to keep him calm. "I've got you, Ian. You're safe. I promise.""I'm scared." Ian whimpered, both hands looped around Mickey's back to grip his shoulders. "He'll find me."Mickey shook his head. "Not if I have anything to do with it he won't. I won't tell him, they won't tell him. I'm going to find out how he's tracking us and we won't have to see him again.""I wish they were like you." Ian buried his face in Mickey's neck. "I wish they were all like you."That must have been the biggest compliment in the history of compliments. Ian, who had been hunted and hurt by humans, was now wishing they were like Mickey was. Trusting and helpful, kind. Mickey didn’t even know how to respond to that. The only thing he could do was live up to his promise.The sound of Noah's boat leaving, had Ian flinching again, holding him tighter. Mickey smoothed his hand up and down Ian's back, telling him that it was okay, that he was leaving. When it was quiet again, Ian moved out of his neck and Mickey was surprised he put their heads together again and one of Ian's webbed hands moved to the side of his face, slowly stroking over it."I feel very lucky to have met you, Mickey," Ian whispered, silently crying but making no move to brush the tears away. "You have a heart of gold."Mickey flushed at the comment and he didn't have the heart to tell Ian how wrong he was about that. Helping someone who was hurt or dying shouldn't be a choice. It should be an instinct to help them. To save them if they needed it, if you were able to. It was simple kindness that needn't be repaid. Now if only others believed what he did, the world might be a better place."Mickey, you son of a bitch, answer me!!"Mickey could hear the panic in Knox's voice and knew he had to leave Ian. The water had numbed his entire body, his limbs were beginning to ache and lock up, it was time for him to get out of the water. But he didn't want Ian to be alone. Not even for a second."I have to go back," Mickey explained quietly and Ian nodded. "Are you able to hold on like this?" He glanced up at the rope.Ian nodded. "As long as you don't go too fast.""I really don't want to leave you." Mickey nearly whined, knowing Ian saw the distress it caused him. "But if I don't, they will come in after me."Ian cupped his face again, closing his eyes for a moment like Mickey did. "You need to go before it gets too bad. I will be fine, Mickey, that is my promise to you.""I can reach you here from up top." Mickey glanced up, making sure Ian looked up too. "As soon as I can, I will be right above you until this is over."Ian was still afraid, even with Noah gone. He didn't want to be alone. Not now and not any other time after this. It was all in his eyes. Ian craved contact, of any kind. Now they craved each others company and kind words, soft touches. And he knew that it hurt Ian just as much to watch him leave as it did for him to actually go, without him.A rough wave slammed into them, pushing his shoulder against the boat hard enough to make him grunt as it popped. "Please don't let go, okay? Because I'll jump back in if you do."Ian chuckled. "Stay on the boat where you are safe. I will stay here where I am safe and we will be together again after the storm."Mickey felt his heart pound. "After." He repeated and helped Ian grab the rope. He held on, using it to pull himself around the boat so he was able to get back up. Seeing Ian slowly disappear around the side had his nerves shot, wanting nothing more than to stay with him. To ride out the storm."Mickey!!!" Knox screamed as loud as he could.Ian's beautiful smile was the last thing he saw, that and a single tear falling down his face. Mickey fought the urge to go back and gripped the side of the boat where he jumped in. "Knox!" He yelled, pulling his tired body out of the cold water."Mickey!" Knox slid across the slippery deck, put two feet against the side of the boat and pulled until Mickey was laying in between his legs. "You bastard, you scared me."Mickey let Knox hold him tight, then Iggy and Quinn as they came over too. They thought he had been lost, just as he thought Ian had been lost. So he laid there, dripping wet, shivering as they all held onto him, making themselves believe he was there. That he was okay."It's fine, guys." Mickey gasped, feeling that panic rise up in his chest. "I'm fine."That was the biggest lie he could tell at this moment. That he was fine. Yes, he was alive. But Ian was alone. He was hurt and alone, crying and alone and he fucking hated it. He hated everything about that feeling, the feeling like he abandoned him.
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The Devil's TriangleChapter 6- Top Secret "Hold it steady , Knox!" Mickey yelled above the crashing waves.The storm was upon them and it was violent and unforgiving, just like the sea was supposed to be. The waves were huge, splashing across the deck, scattering everything over the side that wasn't bolted or tied down.Quinn and Iggy were below, trying to keep the fish on ice from spilling out, from spoiling until they made it safely to Bermuda. Knox was at the helm, steering the boat as best he could, going with the waves instead of against them. It was the only thing that would keep them from capsizing, but it lead them further away from Bermuda. After, they would have to backtrack."Hold the fuck on, Mick!" Knox yelled back, hoping he had a firm grip on something that was bolted to the deck.Mickey was holding the fuck on alright, he was holding onto Ian. He was stretched over the side, one hand locked onto a metal support beam on the side of the boat, the other hand firmly gripping Ian's. And Ian, he was barely holding on. He still gripped the rope, but the waves were crashing into him, making him hit hard against the side of the boat like a battering ram.The entire thing was brutal."It's almost over!" Ian yelled, wiping blood from his lips. "I can feel it."Mickey looked up and the darker clouds had eased up. The waves were still destructive, and they would be the last thing to settle, but Ian was right. The worst was over, for now."You gotta hang on." Mickey squeezed Ian's hand hard. "You have to."The blood dripping from Ian's mouth is what scared him the most. Not the waves or the boat crashing or even his own safety. Just Ian. That blood had to be caused from the violent waves hitting against Ian's injured body and more than once he tried to pull Ian onto the boat, only for Ian to fight him, to stay where he was and endure the pain."Try not to worry, Mickey." Ian rested his head against their linked hands, exhaling deeply as the waves slowed. "I've survived much worse than a storm in my life time."Mickey leaned further over until his head touched the top of Ian's. "That doesn't make me feel any better, Ian. Not even a little bit.""It's slowin down!" Knox yelled, getting them back on the right track. "The rest of the water just has to settle.""Keep goin man," Mickey called out. "I'm good."The boat eventually evened out, rocking with the waves instead of against them. It allowed them all to take a deep breath, able to move around and check for damages. It seemed to take hours, and they felt more than a little battered. But alive."Bring the anchor all the way up!" Mickey yelled towards Quinn who started hoisting it out of the water. The anchor clanked noisily next to them, making them both jump a little, only to laugh."I'm tired." Ian closed his eyes, losing his grip a little."Hey," Mickey shook his arm until Ian glanced up at him. "You can't fall into the water now. Not hurt and unconscious. You're losing blood and it's making you tired."Ian nodded. "Very tired.""Look at me." Mickey let his other hand cup the side of Ian's pale cheek. "I want you to sit on the anchor, okay?" He motioned to it hanging just above the water. "It'll allow you to rest until you're okay enough to swim."Ian gave a shaky nod and with Mickey's help, he managed to sit on the curved part of the anchor, mindful of the sharp points and let his trail rest against the thick chain, his back pressed into the boat."Better?" Mickey asked, still holding his hand.Ian nodded, head back with his eyes closed. "Much better. Thank you."Mickey didn't expect the kiss Ian placed to the back of his hand. It was so soft that maybe he imagined it. Either way, it had his entire body thrumming with energy, buzzing to get closer, to move closer to him. This time without Ian telling him to fight it, he didn't. Mickey allowed himself to lean all the way over until his other hand was against Ian's chest, almost hugging him."You're supposed to resist." Ian mumbled sleepily.Mickey nodded, smiling when Ian's hand gripped his arm, keeping him from moving away. "I am resisting. If I didn't, I would be on the anchor with you."Ian laughed, turning his face into Mickey's arm, unbothered by the scratchy shirt against his face. "Go check on your humans, Mickey. I will be here when you come back."He did have to leave Ian again. The boat and his crew needed his attention, just like Ian did. "Just don't leave until I come back, okay? I bet Noah will find us any second and you're too battered to deal with him.""How is he finding us?" Ian asked, looking up with tired eyes.Mickey shook his head. "There has to be a tracker on this boat that's telling him where we are. I'm gonna find it and get rid of it, and him.""That would be most wonderful, Mickey." Ian kissed his hand once more before he released it. "He is very ugly."Mickey snorted. "Ugly, huh?""Ugly inside." Ian spoke clearly. "Outside he looks friendly but inside he is as dark as the Black Sea."There was no doubt about that. Noah was one attractive mother fucker and when Mickey first met him, he was all smiles and charm. He even wanted to fuck Noah at one point. But it didn't take long for him to see passed that charm, to see the beast underneath that smile. It was vile and unrelenting."You just try and rest and let me worry about him, okay?" When Ian nodded, Mickey had to force himself away, trusting that Ian was strong enough like he said he was. Otherwise he would be right back over there, holding his hand."Any problems?" Mickey asked Knox as he glanced down at the map."No holes so we are good. Lost a few minor things though but no people or fish, so I count it as a win."Mickey smiled back at him. "How far off course did we get?""A few miles but we can make it up easily. This is why being ahead of schedule is a good thing.""Good," he patted him on the back, squeezing just enough. "Gonna go below and check on the boys."Before he took the stairs down, Mickey glanced out at the ocean, happy that Noah's boat wasn't in sight, yet. It allowed him to go below without worrying so much over Ian for a moment."You boys alive?" Mickey shouted, stepping over broken cups and plates from the kitchen, then blankets from their beds until he could reach the back. "Good?"Iggy nodded but thumbed towards Quinn. "Busted his eyebrow open on the freezer. Those waves were rough."Mickey cursed as he moved forward, gripping Quinn's chin and look at the thin streak of blood running down his face. "Well you didn't break it, so that's a plus. But you may need a few stitches."Quinn snorted, batting his hand away. "Thanks mom, I knew that. Gonna take care of it in a second."Mickey nodded, holding his fist out for them both to bump it. "Good. We got off track a few miles but Knox is gettin us back. We need full inventory when we get to Bermuda.""You good?" Iggy asked, noticing how Mickey favored one side.Mickey nodded, lying. "Yeah, might have cracked a rib moving around on deck though." He held his side but didn't wince at the pain. "I'll wrap it as soon as I know we are good.""Do it asap before we tell Knox." Iggy warned, giving him a pointed look."Just take care of your shit," he pointed to Quinn. "And his shit and leave Knox out of this. Oh, did you guys find any trackers down here before the storm hit?"They both shook their heads."Yeah, we didn't find any up top either." Mickey rubbed his eyes tiredly. "It might be under the boat. Gonna have to check when it calms down."Iggy gave him a pointed look this time. "You look like shit, Mick. One of us will do it."Normally Mickey wouldn't argue with them about grunt work like that. They would do it and he would let them. But everything was different now. Ian was in the water, staying close to his boat and if they went under, they might see him. It was risky.But given that Noah all but told them he was keeping something from him still had yet to be discussed. The storm had occupied their time but now that it was over, eventually it would come up. Either he could lie to their faces, his best friends and family, to keep Ian safe. Or, he could risk it all, including ian and tell them. Maybe they would help, or maybe the money Noah offered was too great.Both of those were less than desirable."We can talk about that later." Mickey chose to say instead of no because they would delay him from getting back to Ian. "I'm going back up.""See you up there in a bit."Mickey nodded, already halfway out the door when he saw the drawings of Ian on the floor. The blankets had been tossed and they were just laying there. Mickey scooped them up and stuffed them back under his pillow, hoping they didn't see them.Taking the stairs hurt a little more going up then it did coming down. The adrenaline was wearing thin, making him feel just what leaning over the side of the boat did to his ribs. Either he cracked one, or bruised multiple and both options hurt like a bitch."Shit shit shit." He cursed to himself all the way up, pausing to lean against the railing before attempting the slippery deck."Boys okay?" Knox asked, distracted."Yup, Quinn split his eyebrow but Iggy is gonna clean him up." Mickey took shallow breaths before he finished. "They also found no trace of any trackers down there."Knox hung his head. "None up here either."They both knew that meant it would likely be underneath and that meant getting in the water."Later." They spoke at the same time, smiling.Mickey left Knox to steer in peace, knowing that he hated when someone looked over his shoulder. It freed him up to head back to Ian, but before he could, the annoying sound of Noah's boat could be heard in the distance. Now he dared not go to Ian, not yet. It was way too risky. He had to force himself to the other side of the boat where Noah was waiting."Well, there he is. Thought the sea finally swallowed you down for good." Noah smirked.Mickey smirked too, he got off on not letting Noah get to him. He loved to see that smile slip. "I'm as careful as I need to be, Wilcox. Was hoping you'd fuck off to places unknown. Maybe try actually working for a change.""Oh, I'm working just fine here, Mickey. And my target seems to like your boat."Mickey nearly flinched but refused to allow his body to respond. He kept his smirk, which made Noah lose his. "Should I know what you're talking about?" He asked, feeling Knox creep up behind him. "The only friend I have is a fleshjack light downstairs with my name on it."Knox snorted, putting a hand over his mouth.Noah just sighed and shook his head. "If you wanna play this game, Mick, then fine. You keep your boys in the dark, I'll keep trailing it and when your guard is down, it's mine."A growl got trapped in his throat and saw when Noah realized it. "I tell my boys what they need to know and when they need to know it. But I can handle my shit alone just watch me."When Noah smiled and lifted his foot, intent on climbing onto his, Mickey reached around to the small of his back, pretending his gun was there and Noah stopped, foot hovering in the air and a surprised look on his face."You can't be serious." Noah chuckled, stepping back.Mickey smiled. "I would hate to be called a liar, because I told my boys if you stepped on this boat, I would shoot you." Noah took another step back. "And it's not that I wouldn't do it just to make you bleed, because I totally would. But, I can't go back on my word."From the corner of his eye, Mickey could see that Knox had the actual gun behind his own back, that's why he stepped up before, as back up. Of course Noah would fear or respect anyone with a gun, but he got more of it when Noah assumed he had it and Knox knew that and played along."And as for your new profession," Mickey shook his head in disgust. "Aside from the money, I really hope you don't think people will respect you after that.""People already respect me." Noah defended."No, they really don't." Mickey shook his head. "You have no respect for others or boundaries for work, you fuck people over, and not in a good way. Then you drop the company you've been with for years, just because some guy on a monkey suit wants what he can't have?"Noah didn't respond because he knew he was right. Whatever respect people had for Noah vanished the moment he brought that dead mermaid to Miami. It was disgusting, inhumane. It was fucking wrong."Now you're tailin me, trying to sabotage my crew, turn em against me?" Mickey shook his head, doing his best not to look at where Ian was. "You need to wake the fuck up. They won't help you, the money isn't worth it anyway. I would never help you capture one. So, get the fuck away from my boat and be happy I don't bust a hole in yours and watch you sink."Noah snapped his fingers and the boat began to move. "As always, Mickey, this ain't over. I know he's hurt and you know why. Eventually I'm going to wear him out and he'll be mine."Mickey rushed to the side where Noah had been. "If you hurt him again, Noah, I will fucking kill you." Mickey warned and meant it. "Think I'm playin? Try me and see where you end up."When all Noah did was wave, Mickey flipped him off and turned to see Knox staring at him. He wasn't angry, confused and a little hurt maybe, but not mad. Even still, he could lie about it all, even about the shit he said but if Noah was going to up his game, he might need help protecting Ian."Mickey…"Mickey interrupted him and put his hand up. "I'll tell you all of it, the boys too. But I need a minute alone first."He needed to get to Ian. To check on him and make sure Noah didn't swipe him from right under his nose. That bastard would pull a bitch move like that. He needed to make sure Ian was okay and tell him he was going to tell his crew, out of basic respect."Don't take too long, man." Knox turned off the boat, letting it coast with the waves and went below.Mickey rushed to the back of the boat, just to see that Ian was no longer sitting on the anchor and there was a trail of blood leaking down the side of the boat and right into the water."Shit shit shit." Mickey pulled at his hair. Was he supposed to go back into the water and look for him? Did Noah's goons snatch him while they were talking? "Ian, please."Mickey paced a little, trying to decide what to do when he heard the water splash. He ran to the side of the boat and Ian was just under the water. He let out a deep breath, feeling his heart nearly pounding from his chest as he sat down."You're okay." Mickey let his hand drop onto the unsettling water and smiled when Ian moved and linked it with his own, letting his head breach the water. "You scared me.""Sorry, Mickey." Ian apologized, swimming closer. "I heard his boat and felt okay enough to jump back in.""Is it any better?" Mickey asked.Ian shook his head sadly."I think it's how he's been following you." Mickey saw the surprise on Ian's face. "For awhile I thought he was tracking me, maybe put one on my boat. But we have been looking and can't find one."Ian looked down at his tail. "Is that what the blinking light is?"Mickey nodded. "I don't know why I didn't put the pieces together before. But he said he was tracking you, not me. But you've been following me so it made me think he was after me.""I'm sorry, Mickey." Ian squeezed his hand. "I did not mean to cause you any trouble.""He was already trouble to me before I knew about you." He squeezed Ian's hand back, smiling. "But, unless you can get it out, I'm afraid he won't stop.""I've tried." Ian cried, his voice a little too high. "I've done all I can to get it out but it hurts too much."Fuckin Noah. That bastard. Trackers were supposed to be painless if done correctly. Like for sharks or whales. But if Noah just poked him with it in any place he could, it had to have made it extremely painful. He was such a mean bastard."I know you don't like humans, and for good reason," Mickey began softly, trying not to take offense because really, it wasn't Ian's fault. "But if you let me, I can get it out for you." Ian tightened his hand. "It will let you heal faster, you'll be stronger because of it and he won't be able to find you.""I do trust you, Mickey," Ian let his head rest against their hands. "But the thought of anything touching it makes me feel sick."There was really no way to just take it out without a little pain. But it had been festering for a long time, combined with Ian's attempts to get it out, it was tender already. Add in the salt water that was brutal on the smallest cuts and the fact that Ian still had to use his tail...it was awful."What if I made it so you didn't feel any pain?" Mickey asked, offering the only solution available to him on the water. "Would you let me help you?"Ian blinked away tears as their eyes met again. "Why wouldn't I feel it?""I have medicine that will numb it, take away the pain for a short while." Mickey offered a smile, trying to keep it calm. "It works fast and taking the tracker out will be fast too.""I won't come up there." Ian shook his head. "Please, don't make me."Mickey shook his head this time, leaning over despite the pain on his side to brush a piece of Ian's hair back. "I would never ask you or make you do that. I would come to you."Ian caught Mickey's hand and put it to his face, soaking in the warmth of his skin. "Thank you."Mickey smiled, stroking the side of Ian's face with his thumb. "I also wanted to tell you that Noah told my crew about you." Ian gave him a panicked look. "They won't hurt you, not any of them. And they hate Noah almost as much as you.""Why are you telling me?""Because, I am going to talk to them about it in a second. I never wanted to lie to them but if Noah doesn't back down, I'll need their help.""They won't try and capture me?" He squeezed Mickey's hands, shaking in the water."No, but I'm sure they would like to help you, like I've been doing." Mickey really hoped this was working. "They are my family, Ian. I trust them. And I know you can't, but I'm asking you to trust me."Ian nodded. "I do trust you. And if you need to tell them, I trust that too."God, Mickey wanted to kiss him for that reason alone. Trust was a big thing with Ian. If it wasn't there, then they had nothing. And even when Ian didn't trust anyone else, he still trusted his judgement."You want to kiss me?" Ian asked, eyes wide.Mickey's eyes were wide too. Had he said that out loud? He chuckled nervously, trying to figure a way out of this one. "I didn't mean to say that out loud.""But you did."Mickey nodded. "I was so happy for you trusting me that I said it, kinda like 'God, I could just hug you', ya know?"Ian shook his head. "So you don't want to kiss me but you want to hug me?"Mickey laughed this time because the communication barriers between were still new. "Well, I wouldn't say no to either if it were offered, but I am just really happy that you trust me. That was all I was trying to say.""I'm happy that you're happy." Ian smiled. "And I would like to kiss you, too."Now it was his turn to be surprised. His face must have showed it because Ian was chuckling again, giving that incredible sound. "You do?""And I am a lover of hugs as well, but it's been a while since I've had either."Mickey licked his lips without realizing it. "Yeah, me too."Ian let a wave carry him higher so he was closer to Mickey. "Would now be okay?""For which one?" Mickey asked, more than a little nervous. He had that feeling again, like before when they first touched. He wanted to be with Ian in the water."You choose, or both perhaps?"A groan was halfway up his throat when Knox started talking. "Hurry up, Mick!!""So, not right now?" Ian asked, ready to sink back into the water when Mickey's hand moved to his cheek. "What?""I want both right now." He admitted, panting a little at the very thought of touching him beyond their hands. "But I do have to deal with them.""I understand." Ian smiled. "I'll be close."But Mickey couldn't let him just leave. Not without one or the other. "Maybe a hug now?" He offered hopefully."A hug now." Ian repeated and unlinked their hands.Mickey moved to lay on his stomach again, his upper body and arms hovering over the water. It was either that or pull Ian onto the boat for it and that was a no go. So, he extended his arms and watched Ian's eyes glow brighter."Whenever you want." Mickey added, just to make sure Ian knew he was in full control."I want it now."Ian's arms came up, wrapping around his neck, making their chests push together. Mickey let out a soft moan, wrapping his own arms around Ian's bare back, squeezing him to his body.It felt like pure energy pulsing into his body. It made him gasp, feeling each wave of light or power, or happiness, or whatever it was, wash into him. Mickey put his face in Ian's shoulder, nearly allowing himself to suck the water from his skin."You are very warm." Ian mumbled, his face turned into Mickey's neck. "You feel wonderful."Ian had no filter. None. And Mickey was grateful he was able to say it because he couldn't find the words."Mickey!!" Knox and Quinn yelled at the same time."I don't want to let go of you." Ian squeezed tighter, talking into his neck."I don't want to let go either." Mickey responded and allowed a single kiss to Ian's shoulder and he could hear his sharp gasp as they both pulled back. "Just touching you makes me feel so much better."Ian nodded, twirling the ends of Mickey's hair. "Go ahead before they come out here. I'll be here when you come back."Mickey nodded and helped Ian back into the water until only their linked hands remained touching. "As soon as I'm done, we'll get that out.""And kiss," Ian said a little too eagerly, tilting his head. "Right?"Mickey smiled, heart racing in his chest. "That too." Ian smiled. "Be careful.""Always, Mickey." Ian whispered and slipped below the water, out of sight.Mickey moved quickly to the stairs and found all three of them waiting for him. Their faces were concerned, confused, waiting for him to say something. "Okay, if you guys get mad for me not telling you, I accept that. But I had my reasons."Iggy moved forward, handing Mickey the drawings. "Just tell us."Mickey took them, knowing it was only a matter of time before they found them.So, he told them all of it. Mandy seeing Ian, him looking for two months for him. He told them how a mermaid saved him, how they communicated. Mickey told them about how they connected, just not the details of it all because that was for him and Ian.When they asked why he didn't say anything, he told them it was for Ian's protection. That he didn't want to burden anyone with that information. That it was safer.They were hurt he didn't tell them, but they made it a point to understand his reasons. They all assured him that they would never do what Noah does, that they didn't want to hurt Ian. But Ian made things complicated for them all now. It put every one of them in danger."And after what Noah said, I'm pretty sure that what's in his tail is a tracker." Mickey explained after he recapped everything. "He tried to get it out but said it hurts too much.""If Ian has been following us since Miami, and Noah has been right up our asses, it has to be a tracker." Knox agreed."Now, he's not trusting of humans and for a damn good reason, but he trusts me and told me I could get it out." Mickey explained as he came back from the bathroom with the first aid kit handy."And he won't come up?" Iggy asked.Mickey shook his head. "No, and I won't make him. So, I'm going in the water."It didn't need to be said how risky the water was after a storm. More so because Noah was creeping in the background. But they didn't try to convince him to stay. There was no point and everyone knew it. This was happening, danger or no."It shouldn't take long," Quinn spoke up, moving around the boat for the tools to get a tracker out. "We can keep a lookout."Mickey took them and a bottle of water proof numbing medicine. "I know this is strange." Mickey stopped to get their attention. "And I know it's complicated. But thank you for helping me. For having my back. I don’t know how or why this happened but it has and I can’t…” he waited. “No, I won’t let this happen to him.”Iggy stepped forward and tossed an arm around his neck. "We always got your back, Mickey, especially if we fuck over Noah at the same time."Mickey smiled as they all laughed. They didn’t fully understand why he was so compelled to help, but whatever it was that they saw, they would help him. They cared about, and respected him. "There is that. Okay, so let's get this over with and get Noah off our asses."They all made it up to the deck and Knox tossed him a Scorkl; a handheld, underwater breathing device that allows you up to ten minutes of air under the water and Iggy also tossed him a pair of goggles."If Noah knows you know about the tracker, then we need a plan." Iggy spoke up. "If he knows we found it, he will follow us just because Ian follows you."Mickey cursed. "I hadn't thought of that. Any ideas?"Iggy nodded, smirking. "We need to plant it on something else. A whale or a shark, something that will lead Noah on a little goose chase and give us time to figure out what to do."Mickey laughed. "You're a damn genius Igg, I swear." Iggy grinned back at him. "Okay Knox, since you know how to safely remove and attach the devices, suit up and as soon as I have it, you gotta find something to tag."Knox nodded, grinning. "The storm brought a bunch of creatures to choose from so it shouldn't be a problem.""Good, just wait until I tell you before you jump in." Mickey sat down, putting his feet in the water, just letting Ian know he was there. "He's more than skittish so please wait. I don’t want to spook him or have Noah notice what I’m doing before we can distract him. Just wait for my signal.”They nodded, then backed up, just like he asked them to before. Ian was going to come up, he would explain what was going to happen and Ian didn't need three curious humans hovering."Ian?" Mickey called, seeing his tail below the water.Ian came up slowly, as he always did. "Everything okay?"Mickey nodded, smiling. "I told them. They understand why I didn't say anything and they only want to help."Ian swam closer until he could touch one of Mickey's legs. "I was nervous.""Yeah, I know. But it's still just you and me, okay?" When Ian smiled again, Mickey showed him the tube of medicine. "This is going to make it so you don't feel anything. You just rub a little on and wait for it to kick in."Ian nodded, still curious buy weary. "It doesn't hurt?"Mickey shook his head and put a little one the tip of his finger and smoothed it in for Ian to see. "You won't even know it's there until your body realizes you're not in pain."Ian's hand moved up, touching the clear liquid substance and smoothed it over his fingers like Mickey did. "It doesn't feel like anything." He smiled.It made Mickey laugh. "Now, I have a tool to get the tracker out. It looks a little scary, but it's not sharp or anything. It won't hurt either."Ian tensed, but nodded.Mickey grabbed the tool and slowly showed it to Ian. "It has two little prongs here." He pointed to each end. "They make the barbs on the tracker disengage and it'll slip right off."Ian reached out to touch it as well. Noticing that it didn't have any sharp edges. "It doesn't look so bad.""No, it doesn't." He set both aside and pulled the goggles on top of his head. "I'm gonna get in with you, and to put that stuff on, I need the area out of the water just so it can sink in.""Okay." Ian backed up, making room. "Then what?""Then, I take the tracker out. It'll make a beeping sound but it's not dangerous and it'll release your tail.""I'm a little nervous." Ian admitted softly.Mickey held out his hand, feeling that flutter in his body coming back when Ian took it. "I know, but I'm gonna be there and I promise it's safe."When Ian only nodded, Mickey kept ahold of his hand and slipped into the water, kicking his legs to stay up. Ian moved to him so fast he nearly went under. The hug was tight, Mickey grabbed the side of the boat to keep them up as Ian's arms circled his neck again. His other arm went around Ian, slowly rubbing across his skin."It'll be okay." He whispered and Ian squeezed him again before he pulled back and they were suddenly face to face. "I know you can do it."Ian stroked the side of his face as he let their heads rest together. "I'm ready."Mickey allowed Ian to pull away and tried to keep his gasp inside as Ian's entire body stretched along the top of the water. He was so beautiful it hurt to look at him for very long a time."Okay, this stuff is quick, okay?" Mickey held up the tube and waited for Ian to nod before he put a massive amount of his fingers. "I'm just going to rub it around the area.""Just go slow."Mickey's hand shook as the tips of his fingers lightly touched Ian's tail, spreading the medicine around. He wanted to touch it for the longest time, to feel the scales against his skin, but this was nothing but raw skin, all the scales around it had fallen off."It feels weird." Ian commented, looking down. "But it hurts a little less."Mickey smiled, adding a little more until the area was fully covered. "Let me know when you don't feel any pain, okay? Then we go under and I can take it out."Ian nodded, watching fondly as Mickey put something into his mouth, making him look a little strange but no less handsome. "You can breathe with that?""Only for a few minutes." Mickey pulled the goggles down over his eyes. "Not all of us have amazing mermaid powers."Ian laughed again, relaxing more and more. "I'm just me, Mickey."Mickey nodded, his smile slipping a little. "And you're amazing."Ian was surprised how fast Mickey's magic medicine worked. "I don't feel it anymore." He groaned happily, able to move his tail without any pain. "That's unbelievable.""Now, let's fix it for good." He put the breather in his mouth, grabbed the tool off the deck and sank into the water. Ian followed him, staying exactly where he had been above, but below.Ian had a grip on one shoulder when he put the tool into Ian's wound, letting the prongs grip both of the little barbs on the tracking device. Mickey looked to Ian and nodded, letting him know that this was it.Ian hesitate, gripping Mickey's arm tighter and nodded.It took more time to let the medicine spread as it did to pull the tracker out. It popped free and Mickey snatched it before it sank and put the tool in his pocket. Blood seeped from the wound but the water carried it away quickly, leaving the wound looking rough, but now it would be able to heal.Beside him, he could see Ian laughing under water, smiling as he was able to move. Mickey stayed under, watching Ian swim back and forth and up and down, all in circles. It was the most wonderful thing he had ever seen.And with a blink, Ian was slamming into his front, those long arms around his neck again. Mickey smiled around the mouth piece, wrapping both his arms around Ian and hugged him back.When Ian pulled back, Mickey allowed Ian to take his hand and press it against his chest, right over his heart. Mickey could feel it beating fast, strong and steady under his palm. His heart sped up the moment Ian's hand came up, resting against his chest in the same way. It took a moment, but Mickey realized their hearts were beating in sync.Mickey let it happen until he needed air. The machine beeped and Ian nodded, helping him swim up from being quite a ways down. They came out of the water together beside the boat and Mickey tossed all he brought up onto the deck."Mickey."Mickey turned back at Ian's voice and gasped the second webbed hands cupped both sides of his face. His hands moved under the water, settling at Ian's lower back as he got lost in the green of his eyes.Then Ian was kissing him. Mickey gasped at his soft, wet lips and his eyes slid closed, pulling Ian closer with a light grip. Just one kiss shouldn't feel so good but his entire body was pulsing in pleasure, eager for more. In need of more."Thank you." Ian whispered against his mouth as he pulled back.Mickey gripped the back of Ian's neck, keeping him close. "For the help, or the kiss?"Ian smiled, bumping their noses together. "For both. For everything."His thumb traced Ian's bottom lip, silently asking for more. His only reply was a smile, barely the corner of his lips turning. But it was all he needed. Mickey brought him in for another kiss, gently letting his tongue run the length of Ian's lips until he opened.Mickey swallowed Ian's gasp as their tongues slowly moved together. Ian had pushed them against the boat, making his back flatten against it. He reached up to grab the rope to keep them steady against the waves, but kept his hold on Ian, letting him take as many of those kisses as he wanted.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
The Devil's Triangle
Chapter 7- Bermuda "Jesus, finally." Iggy whined.Mickey smiled as all three of them jumped off the boat and onto the dock as quickly as possible. Being on the water for almost a month, they were happy for solid ground. Sand and real beds and people, not each other."Soak it up while you can," Mickey steered the boat until he was in perfect unloading position, then shut it down. "We get two days, maybe three and we sail to Puerto Rico for the rest."It had been nearly three days since the storm, since Mickey got that tracker out of Ian's tail. Knox was able to tag a tiger shark from a relatively safe distance and they all watched Noah chase after it. It was fucking epic.Ian had been scarce in those three days, probably trying to heal the damage. Mickey expected that, he really did. But he missed him, more than he thought he would. Especially after how close they were becoming.The intimacy of their friendship changed, if friendship was the correct word to describe what they had. Mickey cared about Ian, long before the hugs and kisses. But those only added to it, made it stronger.Then it was gone.All of it. The contact he grew so used to, the splashing and Ian's cute little head tilts. His presence. Mickey missed it all. And the only thing he could do to take his mind off it all, was to work. He worked long nights, driving towards Bermuda and slept during the day, but only after trying to signal Ian.Three days had been utter hell."Any word?" Iggy asked as Quinn and Knox moved around the dock, setting everything up. "It's been awhile."Mickey nodded, taking his hat off his head and wiped the sweat off his face with the back of his arm. "No, not yet." He glanced around the water out of habit. "He might not come back.""You don't believe that, do you?"Did he? Mickey didn't want to believe that Ian only hung around in hopes of getting that tracker out and Noah off his ass. But it was logical, if you forget about them kissing and hugging like they were starved for it. They had helped Ian and then he was gone."I don't know what to think, Iggy." Mickey let Iggy help him off the boat and onto solid ground. "Of course I don't want to think any of that shit, but it's possible."Even as he said that, Mickey's hand went into his pockets to grab the shell in one hand and the pearl in the other, squeezing them."I know you, Mick," Iggy spoke quietly, making sure no one else could hear them. "I've seen you like this before and it's the same with, Ian. I know you don't think he's gone."Maybe he was that transparent or maybe it was because Iggy was his brother, but he was right."Mickey, they need you to sign off!" Knox yelled, motioning them over.Mickey nodded at him before turning back to Iggy. "No, I don't think he's gone, but I could be wrong. Of course I have no way of knowing one way or another."When Iggy gave him that sad look, Mickey had to move away. He joined Knox as the fish were being unloaded and signed off on what he needed to before going back to his boat. He was almost afraid to leave it, because how else would Ian find him?The hotels they normally stayed at were cheap and cheap meant far from the water, far from Ian. If Ian came to his boat when he wasn't there and someone saw him...then what?"You comin, man?" Quinn asked as he pointed to the beach.Mickey shook his head, making all three of them narrow their eyes. "I'm gonna do inventory to see what all we lost and what we need before we take off again.""Mick--" Iggy rolled his eyes as Mickey turned and walked away. So he ran after him. "You can't just wait here.""I can for one night." Mickey shot back, showing how afraid and agitated he was. "If I leave the boat and Ian comes back, what then? He can't just walk up and look for me.""Fine, park her in the marina and take a night to see if he shows. But if he doesn't, you can't just sit here."Mickey nodded. "Just one night. I'll meet you for breakfast."When Iggy nodded, Mickey turned away again and this time no one stopped him as he started the boat and drove around the docks to the marina. The sun was already setting low on the water and nightfall would only be an hour or two away, then maybe Ian would show. Or maybe he wouldn't.In the meantime, Mickey tried to keep himself busy. He really did do inventory, knowing exactly what gear and supplies they needed for the last leg of their trip. He cleaned up, so clean the place looked new again and he drank. Not a lot, but enough to get his shoulders to relax and his jaw to unclench.With nothing else to do, Mickey took his bottle of tequila, the drawings from Mandy and went up to the deck. The sun was gone, the moon was up and the entire marina was dead. No lights on the boats around him. Everyone was on land, enjoying actually being on land.Mickey didn't give a shit about land or a bed that didn't rock with the waves. The boys just cared about getting some time off the boat, to drink and not work, to pick up some random for the night. Mickey didn't want any of that.He just wanted Ian.With his music turned up, one bare foot dangling in the water, Mickey tried to relax. The alcohol helped, by this point he was pleasantly numb, making his body warm despite the chill on the water."Where are you, Ian?" Mickey asked quietly, not even able to be heard over the music.When no reply came, Mickey closed his eyes, trying to imagine him. To remember what he looked like, his smile and how his hair was always wet and pushed back, leaving his face clear. Mickey remembered the way he felt around him; happy and special, like nothing mattered but the way Ian looked at him, or how their hands looked linked together.The steady beat of Ian's heart under his palm or his own hands and how they smoothed down the gems on Ian's spine. Or his lips, soft and perfect.Mickey opened his eyes and turned to face the water, allowing the other leg to slip in beside the other one. He glanced down, only able to see the tops of his feet from how dark it was, but then if he tried not to focus as hard, he could see green. Green and blue."Ian?" Mickey leaned over as his voice shook and he leaned over a little too far because he slipped, plunging into the dark water.He swam up quickly, coughing all the water from his lungs and looked down, seeing Ian's tail just below his feet. Mickey smiled, gripping the side of the boat as Ian came up from the water.But something was different. As soon as the alcohol was cleared enough to focus, his eyes widened. Ian was fucking gorgeous… not beautiful like Mickey thought he was before, but gorgeous. His skin was glowing, a warm healthy color, his hair looked like someone colored it, making it brighter as well, his eyes sparkled like there were stars blinking in them.It was like someone turned up Ian's contrast, making everything a million times better, brighter and clearer than it had been. Mickey felt more drawn to him, so much so that he let go of the boat to swim the rest of the way to him. His arms and legs moved for him, his body on autopilot as he got closer. The only thing he was able to focus on was getting to Ian as fast as he could."Mickey, you need to fight it, remember?" Ian spoke clearly, loudly.Even his voice was easily ten times better, sounding like an entire Orchestra was hidden in his chest, waiting for the perfect moment to create such a beautiful sound. Mickey groaned a little, letting the sound sink into his body, then he was actually sinking ...deep below the water, not hearing the sound from above anymore but from below. Dragging him deeper and deeper into the water.But then something happened and he was being yanked out, Ian was dragging him to the surface, pulling him up once again to cough up the water in his lungs."Mickey!" Ian yelled, gripping his face.Mickey blinked, focusing on his green eyes. "Why are you yelling?" He asked roughly, his throat burning."You told me you would resist Mickey, you promised." Ian shook him a little."I was, wasn't I?" He asked as he looked around and they were about a mile from his boat. "What happened?"Ian let their heads rest together. "You weren't fighting it anymore. You gave in and could have drowned."An echo of that sound popped onto his head for a split second, making him slowly close his eyes. "It sounded so wonderful." He gripped Ian's shoulders, hanging on, gripping him tight. "You don't know how amazing it was."Ian slowly began to swim, getting them closer to Mickey's boat. "Do you remember what I told you? You must resist when you hear that, or even feel it.""I thought I was." Mickey argued, feeling just as good as he had been then, only now as well. "I was just swimming to you and I don't know what happened.""I had a feeling this would happen, only I hoped it wouldn't from all the exposure you've had to me.""What?" Mickey asked, confused. "What's happening?"Ian stroked his face, noting the slight sunburn across his cheeks. "When you first felt it, the pull, I was hurt. Remember?"Mickey nodded, leaning into Ian's palm without realizing it, nuzzling it."But I'm not hurt anymore so it's about ten times as strong as it was, it's more dangerous now." Ian explained. "You have to fight it.""But I don't want to." Mickey whined, rubbing his cheek against Ian's hand. It sent a spark down the side of his face each time. "It just feels so fucking good." Mickey's hands moved over Ian's shoulders, squeezing them, digging his nails into them, feeling his strength."I know it does, Mickey," Ian bumped their noses together as he pressed Mickey's back against the side of the boat. "But if you give in, if you chase that sound, that feeling, you will die."Mickey heard the words and felt that familiar spark of fear because of it. Just like he had before when Ian told him. He latched onto that fear and swam up against the incredible feelings and the echo of that sound….Then suddenly he was back in the water with Ian. They were pressed close together, face to face."I'm sorry." Mickey apologized quickly, feeling like a fool for falling for it so easily. "I'm not sure what happened.""Don't be sorry, just don't forget, okay?" Ian squeezed Mickey's sides where he held him and kept him from sinking. "I need you here with me. I need you alive.""It's way more intense now," Mickey cupped Ian's face, stroking up the length of his jaw. "I want to feel it all the time.""Focus on something else, Mickey," Ian pressed his chest against Mickey's, making them both gasp softly. "Just focus on me, not that."Mickey focused on the feel of Ian's chest against his own, the light shift of water below as Ian's tail moved and the way webbed hands gripped his sides, nearly skin to skin as his shirt floated up. It helped him ground himself, to fight that intense feeling."Good," Ian smiled, "that's it, Mickey.""I missed you." Mickey said bluntly, memorizing the gems around Ian's eyes. "I was worried too, thought maybe you'd gone."Ian's smile slipped. "I missed you, too. It took a bit longer to heal then I anticipated. Trying to grow scales is a little more painful than the tracker itself.""But you're okay now?" Mickey asked, even glancing in the water knowing he wouldn't be able to see one way or another.Ian nodded. "I'm better than okay, I feel wonderful. I haven't felt like this in months.""Good, I'm glad." Mickey eyed his lips, unable to resist for a moment. "I was afraid to leave the boat without knowing if you were okay."Ian glanced up at the boat, sensing no movement from above. "So we are alone?"A chill crept down his spine that had nothing to do with the water. But he nodded and tried not to think about what that might normally mean. "Yeah, they all went--"Ian cut him off, pressing their lips together. Mickey groaned, closing his eyes as he kissed him back. It was just as good as that first time, maybe better because Ian seemed stronger now, pushing him hard against the boat until he couldn't move."Ian." Mickey gasped between kisses, trying to keep up with fast pace.Ian pulled back and he moved one hand to Mickey's cheek, his thumb pressing over his lips. "Shhh, if you talk, we can't kiss."Mickey smiled but Ian didn't move his thumb away. "If you push against me any harder, I'll be in the boat and we still can't kiss."Ian's eyes widened. "Am I hurting you?"Before Ian could move, Mickey slipped one hand into the water and gripped his side, keeping him there. "No, I like it. You're just very strong."Blushing, Ian looked away. "It's been hard to adjust to being back at full strength."Mickey gripped Ian's chin, bringing him back, then smoothed his thumb along the sharpness of it. "You don't have to adjust with me, Ian, just do what you want.""I want to kiss you." Ian leaned down again. "I haven't been able to think of anything else for three days."Mickey nodded, tracing his bottom lip. "Yeah, tell me about it." His fingers on the back of Ian's neck tightened, making sure he didn't move. "I thought I dreamt it all.""Then we had the same dream." Ian lightly kissed his lips before he could react and kiss him back. "And I want to do it again, but you're shaking."Mickey was cold, he couldn't hide the shivers or the way his teeth clacked together silently, but he didn't want to stop. Ever. "I'm fine. It's just adrenaline."Ian shook his head and moved one hand up Mickey's shirt to feel his skin. "You're cold."Mickey groaned, his head tipped back leaning against the boat. Ian's hand was just touching the lower part of his ribcage, long fingers spanned wide, touching much more than should be possible. Now he was hard, great."I promise I'm fine." Mickey opened his eyes to see Ian staring at his mouth. "Now kiss me.""Only for a minute," Ian moved his hand to Mickey's lower back, pressing him forward so they were touching as much as possible. "Then you need to get back up on the boat and get warm."Mickey was leaning forward even as he nodded. His body seemed to shake harder as they kissed, and this time Ian was the one to lick across his lips, asking for entrance. Mickey groaned deeply and opened for him, his grip tightening on Ian's jaw.Instinct had him wanting to wrap his legs around Ian's hips, taking it to that next level. He wanted to feel Ian between his legs, pushing him into the boat as they moved together. But he vaguely remembered the swishing of Ian's tail below, not legs…"We should stop." Mickey surprised himself by saying, surprising Ian too as he moved back, leaving them both breathless."Why?" Ian asked, head tilted. "I thought you liked it."Mickey let out a nervous laugh, keeping his ass back, keeping his hips far away from Ian's body. "I do. But I like it a little too much."Ian's eyes widened a little as he looked down between them. "You're hard?"Mickey bit his lip, nodding. "You're a really good kisser." He explained as simply as possible.Ian looked up, right at his lips. "So are you. And I know the feeling of liking it too much, trust me."Mickey knew what that meant. It meant that if Ian was human like him, with legs and correct anatomy, that he would be hard too. But currently Ian did have a tail and Mickey wasn't really sure how that worked, being turned on and stuff."So maybe this is a good stopping point." Mickey smiled but didn't pull back.Ian nodded, smiling as well. "You promised to go get warm, so you must."Mickey nodded. "We normally stay pretty far from the water, but if I stayed somewhere closer, would you stay too?"Changing the subject was literally the only thing that would help his body relax enough for his erection to flag. He needed to forget that train of thought about wrapping his legs around Ian's hips before it got worse."How close?""They have a few places right on the water. It's more expensive but closer to the boat and there are less people." Mickey explained knowing that he would stay close to the water even if Ian said no. "We would have to be careful but I need to see you.""As long as I can stay in the water then I'll stay with you." Ian leaned in, not kissing him but close enough to where it was possible. "It'll be easier at night though, makes it harder for people to see.""Night works for me, Ian," Mickey felt that pull again, tugging on invisible strings attached to his body, trying to coax him into giving in. "And I still have my boat, I can drive further out and see you too. We don't have to worry about anyone."Ian smiles happily. "How long are you here for?""Just a few days to restock. Spend some time actually walking." He smiled because he was currently floating. "I prefer to swim though."Ian grinned. "Me too." He swam slowly to the open edge of the boat. "Now up you go."Mickey reluctantly gripped the side of the boat, already missing the feel of Ian's body against his as he swam back. "It's still early. I can go get a place and come back to tell you where it is."Ian glanced up at the moon, knowing he had about ninen hours until dawn. "Just tell me which part of the beach it's on and I'll find you."God, he really didn't want to get out of the water. Mickey missed him already and they were still together. It must have showed because Ian was swimming closer, allowing him to slip one hand around Ian's back."Maybe I'll just stay on the boat so I don't have to leave." Mickey suggested, bumping their noses together again. "That sounds better, right?"Ian shook his head. "No, go ahead and I will meet you, okay? I don't trust that you won't roll off this boat in the middle of the night."Shit, he hadn't thought of that. With how strongk that feeling was now, Mickey was actually worried Ian was right. Even if he slept below, what if he followed that sound and walked off the boat? It was dangerous and he wasn't confident with control yet."Fine," Mickey huffed when Ian smiled. "But if you can't make it then I'm not going.""If it's on the water I can make it." Ian bumped his nose. "Promise."Before Ian made him leave, for real this time, Mickey leaned forward and Ian met him for it. One soft kiss turned into two, that turned into three. Ian once again had him pushed into the boat, making his entire body ache with all that strength he felt just under the surface.Ian groaned softly, breaking the kiss to look down. "You're hard again."It had him laughing. "Again? More like still." Ian looked a little startled, green eyes widening as he look down again. "Make sure you stay close, okay?"Ian narrowed his eyes. "Now?""No, when I leave." He laughed again. "You stay any closer and I'll never leave."Ian grabbed Mickey's hand from where it rested against his back and stretched it up, making him grip the top of the boat with his other hand. "Go." He gripped his sides, lifting him.Mickey was now sitting on the deck, only his legs dangling in the water. Ian lifted him up easily, arms bulging but not straining under his weight and fuck if it didn't keep him hard the whole time."I may have to adjust to that, too." Mickey looked down, watching Ian's hands slip from his hips almost sensually, but that might have been his lusty imagination.Ian smirked. "You know where to find me."Mickey nodded as he stood on shaky legs, watching Ian sink lower just for him to stop and come back up. "What is it?""I almost forgot, I have something for you." Ian smiled and reached into his hair before moving up to the boat again.Mickey bent down, beyond excited to know what this gift was. He held his hand out and was amazed when Mickey put a shiny yellow scale in his hand, the end of it tipped orange. He brought it closer, absolutely shocked."Just to say thank you again for helping me." Ian explained shyly.Mickey touched it with his thumb, feeling how smooth it was. "You didn't need to do this to thank me."Ian's smile slipped. "You don't like it?""No!" Mickey shouted loudly, making Ian flinch a little. "Shit, sorry. I meant no, I don't just like it, Ian, I love it." He glanced at it again. "I wondered what it might feel like.""My tail?" Ian asked.Mickey nodded. "I know that might sound a little strange, but it's just so incredible." He slipped it into his pocket with the other two items. "Thank you."Ian slipped down a little further, blushing. "You're welcome." **A little over an hour had passed since the docks. Mickey reluctantly left when Ian did. He arranged a two bedroom bungalow for the next three days. It cost him nearly a thousand dollars but it would be worth it. And it was literally on the water; as in hovering above it with a sturdy foundation built right into the sand. He had to walk across a bridge to get to it and was completely surrounded by water. He had a few small docks attached to it, chairs and a fire pit on one dock, the other bare for when he would get in and out of the water carefully.It was perfect. Ian could swim right from the deepest parts of the ocean all the way up to his front door. His nearest neighbor was nearly half a mile away so they wouldn't have to look over their shoulder when they meet or talk in hushed whispers. The water was shallow enough for him to stand in and still came up to well passed his neck. He could climb in with Ian or sit on the dock and talk to him, they could swim or maybe Ian could sit with him on the dock if he wanted.Mickey told Ian were it was, grabbed his bags off the boat and called a cab to take him back. While he waited for Ian to swim around, he took a little tour of his private getaway. It has two bedrooms, both with large beds facing the large windows for the perfect view. A decent sized kitchen, more than he was used to for this being nothing but a pricey hotel. He had a living room with a big flat screen TV which he had no use for at the moment. Really the only thing he cared about was the water access.Mickey dumped his stuff, ordered whatever food was available at after midnight, stripped off his wet clothes, opting for swim trunks and a tank top, grabbed the six pack of beer he picked up along the way and moved outside. It took less than five minutes to start a fire, both the sounds and smells were enough to put his already fantastic mood into overdrive. He sat down on one of the beach chairs, opened a beer and waited for Ian to show.It was already so relaxing. No shitty motels this time, no thin walls where you were forced to listen to the couple next door either fight or fuck their way through the night. He wouldn't have the boys waking him up at ungodly hours for stupid shit. Even now, listening to the water and the crackling fire, watching the stars above and the water below and he felt like he was on an actual vacation. His shoulders were no longer tense, his jaw wasn't clenched tightly and his mind wasn't trying to overthink itself into an early grave. Or it was, but not about work or being worried about Ian's safety. More like worried about how easily his body reacted to Ian's. The only thing they did was kiss. Ian's hand was on his skin for less than five seconds and it was long enough to have him hard, aching for attention.It surprised him because that had been the first time Mickey thought of Ian in a sexual way. The dream he had on the beach a few months and did not count. This time it was from actual contact, something he craved."Fuck." Mickey groaned, trying to block out the feeling of Ian's hand up his shirt as he took a long drink."Mickey?"Mickey jumped slightly at the sound of Ian's voice, noting that he wasn't as relaxed as he tried to be. But he sat up, setting his beer aside and watched Ian swim up to the dock, looking back and forth like he was on the lookout."Have trouble finding it?" Mickey asked and slipped off the chair and sat on the edge of the dock.Ian shook his head, coming closer. "I could feel you here."That spark once again flared to life, burning him from both ends and if he wasn't careful, he would lose himself along the way. Ian could feel him from a distance and that wasn't as creepy as it would have sounded months ago."Well, you're pretty much in the house." Mickey smiled as he turned and could see the couch from outside the window. "Any more access to the water and it would lead inside."Ian chuckled. "I like it. Just enough privacy for me to feel relatively safe, you have access to land at all times and I have the water."From this part of the ocean, Mickey was able to see more. Not more of the actual water because with Ian near everything seemed to take a back seat to him. He meant more of Ian. With the dim lights on around him, he was able to see Ian's long tail curling around the white sand under them, able to relax a little instead of constantly swimming.Mickey could make out the lines and grooves from his fin, delicately designed despite its constant use. The scales were now green tipped in blue, almost luminescent because of the lights. And it was perfect, no wounds or scars. Just beautiful, perfect scales all the way up to his hips. Then his skin, extremely soft to the touch; first hand knowledge allowed him to describe that accurately. And since he was all the way healed, he no longer looked pale but a light golden brown color, like the best tan in the history of tans.The human part; his upper body was like an athlete. His body was slimmer towards his hips, but expanded the higher you looked. Ian's six pack was utterly ridiculous and very hard to miss, and hard to not look. His chest was buff, muscled as well as his arms and his shoulders were something to wax poetic about."Mickey?" Ian said his name loudly.Mickey snapped to attention and realized he was in the water. He groaned, glancing around from where he'd been sitting on the dock on a few seconds ago. "What happened?"Ian shook his head, smiling a little. "You weren't fighting it again."Mickey clenched his jaw. "Shit, I didn't even realize it.""You just kinda spaced out." Ian brushed Mickey's hair back from his face. "What were you thinking about?"Mickey was too embarrassed to realize the intimate touch Ian gave him. He could feel the blush on his cheeks just because he would have to tell him. "I was thinking about you."Ian's eyebrows rose. "What about me?"Mickey smiled, trying not to glance down and finish looking until he could memorize Ian's body perfectly. "How amazing you look." He paused as Ian's eyes seemed to get larger. "Aside from that few minutes under water with you, I haven't been able to get a good look.""Why do you need to look at me?" Ian asked, slightly tilting his head as he looked at Mickey."I guess I don't need to. But I want to." Mickey chewed his lip nervously. "You're a mermaid, Ian, you're kind of incredible. You're so fucking beautiful and it's a little hard not to look."Mickey thought maybe he'd been too forward, too honest because Ian didn't say anything. Until he literally watched Ian's eyes darken just before he lunged at him, arms wrapping around his neck, their heads pressed together. Mickey wrapped his arms around Ian's body, holding him back."Normally when people see things that are beautiful, they covet them." Ian lowered his voice, pushing his hands into his hair, loving the way it slipped through his fingers. "They want to keep them without a second thought."Mickey licked his lips, anticipating what was coming. "Beauty can't be captured, Ian. It can't be taken away or demolished. Even with those kinds of people out there, it remains beautiful no matter what.""You are beautiful, Mickey." Ian moved his thumbs to trace over his cheeks, then his jaw. "Despite the world being mean and ugly. Despite the life you could have if you did capture me, you haven't."Mickey swallowed thickly, absorbing every single word."Why people break beautiful things is something I will never understand. But against everything, you remain beautiful by just being you." Ian lightly pressed him against the dock, not wanting any space left between them. "It is I who should be looking at you the way you look at me."Mickey could see the way Ian looked at him and it was the same way he looked at Ian. "If you could see your eyes right now, you could see the way you're looking at me."Ian glanced down, seeing where they touched. His skin against the scratchy material of Mickey's shirt. "Can I do something?" He asked softly, almost shyly and glanced up.Mickey nodded without even asking what it was. Ian was looking down, making his body flame under that look. "Whatever you want, Ian."Ian's hands moved down to the bottom of his shirt, wet from the water and gripped it, lightly pulling up and Mickey already knew what he was going to do."You're sure?" Ian asked again, voice low."I'm sure, Ian." Mickey whispered back.The shirt slowly moved up, sticking to his body until Mickey had to lift his arms up for Ian to take it all the way off. The shirt was set aside and Mickey was almost afraid to see Ian's reaction."You're nervous." Ian stated, seeing the slight tremble in his body. "Why?""Because compared to you," Mickey trailed off, glancing down at all the hard edges of his body. "I don't look nearly as good.""I enjoy the way you look." Ian moved his hands to rest against Mickey's firm chest. "But I like it a lot better without the shirt on."Mickey smiled. "Not a fan of clothes?"Ian shook his head, slowly moving his hands across smooth skin. "I prefer skin on skin. Especially yours."When one of Ian's hands moved to his back, adding just enough pressure to press their chests together, Mickey couldn't stop the moan that bubbled up his throat. This was not helping him forget about the needs of his body, not even a little bit."Ian," Mickey whined and had to clear his throat to start again, a little less needy this time. "Ian, uh… you remember that stopping point from earlier?"Ian nodded. "Do we need to stop again?"His entire body was screaming NO. Mickey wanted this, he needed it. Even if the only thing that happened was their chests touching. But he knew it wouldn't stop there and he forced himself to nod, to say yes."So, that means no kissing then?" Ian asked a little sadly.Mickey whimpered, one hand moving to tilt Ian's face just as he leaned in. "Maybe just a little." He whispered just seconds before Ian connected them. Taking his lips in a hungry kiss that left him digging his nails into his shoulder.It was a little frantic, chaotic. Their lips moved quickly, harder and faster than any of their other kisses. Ian's hand was big enough to cup one side of his face entirely, his fingertips at the hinge of his jaw, pushing just enough for him to open."God," Mickey groaned just as Ian's tongue slid along his own, making goosebumps flare down his spine. The need to feel more was just too much, making his body tremble as he quickly turned his head, breaking the kiss. Only he didn't think Ian would just move to his neck, kissing all the way from his ear to the bend in his shoulder. "Ian.""You smell so good." Ian whispered against his skin between kisses, his nose pressed against his neck. "You smell like the sun."Mickey moaned quietly, tipping his head back to rest against the dock as Ian kept moving lower, his tongue slowly licking his skin. "Please, Ian." He begged; unsure if he needed him to stop or keep going."I can smell your arousal,Mickey." Ian inhaled deeply before sucking against his neck. "I can taste it on you."When Ian moved, his tail pressed right against his groin, making him lose his breath so fast he became a little dizzy. He wanted to grind forward to ease that ache, it would be so easy, it would feel so good just to get a little friction.But he didn't. They couldn't."It feels too good," Mickey gasped, pulling Ian out of his neck as his skin tingled from Ian's tongue. "We can't do this."Ian nodded. "Not in the way you need," he paused to lick his lips for another taste. "Or in the way I can, but I can help you."Mickey's body pulsed. "Help me how?"Ian didn't speak, just breathed heavily against his lips and let his hand slip down Mickey's body, settling at his hips. "I haven't had a lot of experience pleasing humans, or anyone really," he paused, his fingertips just above his tented shorts, "but I know what to do, how to help."The offer alone was sexy enough to make him come and he wanted to push Ian's hand down, he wanted to feel Ian touching him like that. Making him come, making the pressure leave his body in that violently orgasmic way."I can't ask that," Mickey's voice trembled like the rest of him. "I won't ask that, Ian." He glanced down, moving his hand to rest low on Ian's hips, just before that beautiful line of scales and watched his muscles contract. "I can't--" he trailed off. "Not when you can't…""I won't be able to react in the same way as you, I won't be able to find that release," Ian agreed, his voice was suddenly deeper. "But I would feel the rest. My body pulses like yours, I feel the ache for it."Mickey moaned loudly, his face heating up in the way that only dirty talk can make it. That's what this was, that's what it sounded like when Ian spoke. It was worded differently, less crude than what he was used to but it had a more intense effect on his body."I want it," Mickey whimpered, nearly pushing up on his toes to see if Ian's hand would rub over him. "But it doesn't seem fair like that, not if you can't in the same way."Ian nodded, eyes still lingering on his mouth. "What would you have me do then?" His voice was deep, thick with arousal. "The more we touch, the more we kiss, the more you want it."Mickey lightly dug his nails into Ian's hips, pulling a delicious sounding gasp from him. "I never want to stop kissing you, Ian, like ever. But we may have to take breaks in between to make my body calm down." His hand moved up instead of down, gripping Ian's neck. "And please don't think I'm saying no because I don't want it. You know I do, but it just wouldn't seem fair to me."Ian nodded, his hand also moving up to cup the side of Mickey's face. "And I hope you know that fair or not, I would like to help you, mMickey." He rubbed their noses together, hearing Mickey's breath hitch. "I would find much enjoyment seeing you like that, hearing it. And if you change your mind, the offer still stands."Mickey groaned and pulled Ian against his mouth before he said another word. Ian's mouth opened instantly, letting his tongue in, to lick inside Ian's mouth like he wanted to do to the rest of him. He wanted to give into that offer and pant and groan against Ian's lips as he worked him to that edge, he wanted to look down and see Ian's long webbed fingers wrapped around him, and he knew it would take only seconds to find his orgasm."If we figure out a way where I can return the favor, then yes." Mickey panted against Ian's mouth, then nipped his bottom lip. "But until then, I probably need to get out of the water."Ian nodded, reluctantly backing away. "You want me to go?"Mickey turned and pulled himself out of the water, sitting where he had been and shook his head no. "Of course not. Unless you want to go, then that's different.""I don't want to leave until I have to." He swam back enough to stretch his tail out, laying on top of the water as he gauged the time by the moon. "But I can't stay for much longer."Reaching over to grab another beer, Mickey waited to ask why until he drained about half of it, hoping the alcohol would help him relax again. "What do you need to leave for? If you don't mind me asking."Ian sunk back into the water, avoiding Mickey's eyes. "I just need to go somewhere safe before dawn. Boats and humans get up early to go on the water."There was something Ian wasn't telling him. Mickey could tell just by the loss of eye contact. Ian always held his eyes. Always. "Anywhere special you go?""I have places all over. Nothing on land of course," Ian looked at him finally, realizing that he wouldn't pry. "When sleep is required, I usually go to one of the sea caves where nothing can get to me."Mickey nodded. Sea caves, or underwater caves were deep in the ocean, normally at the bottom so humans couldn't get there unless they had scuba gear. It would be safe enough to sleep, to let your guard down, but it was sad that Ian wasn't safe enough just to live anywhere he wanted in the ocean.The rest of the beer was drained on his next drink. "I wish it were easier for you, Ian. That you didn't have to hide for people to leave you alone."Ian smiled appreciatively at him. "Maybe one day it will be. For now, it's just something I need to do, to make me feel safe.""Caves, huh?" He asked, trying to change the subject to something lighter. And Ian nodded, that smile coming back into place. "I haven't been cave diving in years."Ian perked right up, grinning as he swam to the dock. "You cave dive?""I do," he smiled back. "I haven't had time in awhile though but I would still enjoy it.""Before you have to leave here, would you like me to take you?" Ian asked shyly, hoping Mickey said yes. "It's nothing overly special but it would be fun."It had Mickey grinning from ear to ear, wanting to get suited up now and go. "Hell yeah, I'd love to see it." He could see Ian's cheeks redden from his excitement. "Can we go tomorrow?"Ian laughed. "Whenever you want.""I want to now." Mickey laughed as well, making Ian's smile widen. "Is it far?""Not for me because I swim faster than your boat, but it might take an hour or so." Ian tried to judge the time correctly. "Is that too far?""Nope, not at all." Mickey lightly kicked his feet, trying not to be so giddy. "I have three days to fill before we leave. I'd drive for days to see it.""How deep can you go?" Ian asked, knowing that question was really important."Pretty deep, I'm trained for pretty much every depth." Mickey made a mental note to see if he had his gear on board or if he would need to rent some. "How deep is it?""Not as deep as some of my other ones but it's about eighty-five feet to the entrance, give or take a mile."Mickey was a little surprised that Ian went that deep, all just to be alone and there was a reason that Ian wasn't comfortable sharing with him. A secret, probably one of many and Mickey suddenly wanted to know all about it."But there is air once you get in, right?" Mickey asked, just to be sure so he could decide on a dual tank or a single.Ian nodded. "Half of the cave itself is on land, but you just have to swim a ways to make it.""Sounds like a plan." Mickey held his beer with his right hand and offered Ian his free one, which he took instantly. "I'll make sure I have what I need. But do you need anything?"Ian narrowed his eyes. "Like what?""I have no idea," he laughed even more at Ian's confused face. "Just feel like I should ask. Make sure you have what you need."Ian squeezed his hand. "The ocean has everything I need, mostly just the water." He swam closer, putting his cheek against one of Mickey's thighs. "And you. I need you as much as I need the water "His hand slipped from Ian's and moved down the length of his back, petting him, letting his fingers move up and down the gems on his spine. It was more relaxing than the beer."I need you, too," Mickey replied after a minute, feeling Ian's hand curl around one leg in the water. "I know all this shit started bad, like how we met, but I'm happy we did."Ian looked up, smiling. "It could have gone a little smoother, I agree, but I'm happy we did too. You make me very happy."God, Ian was making his heart ache. In all his life, he never made anyone happy. Not his parents or his siblings, aside from Mandy. His friends loved him for different reasons and the one guy he actually loved a long time ago, wasn't as happy as he thought. So making Ian happy made him a little emotional, but happy, very happy."I've never been this happy before." Mickey replied, looking around and knowing they both knew it had nothing to do with the location or the amazing room. "You've made me smile more in the past few weeks then I ever have."Ian lifted his head up, moving to swim around so he was in front of him. "That doesn't sound good, Mickey. That you've never been happy before."Mickey smiled. "It wasn't good, but it is now and I'm happy with that. I'm happy with you."Ian let the waves carry him forward so he was within reach of Mickey's mouth. He gripped his face with both hands, running his fingers into his hair, something he was growing to love. "Then I will make sure you are happy all the time when you're with me."Mickey dropped the bottle to grip Ian's lower back, swallowing his groan when Ian's tail scraped the insides of his thighs. "You already do.""I'm going to kiss you now," Ian announced, moving in until their noses bumped. "Because some time has passed since we kissed before and I really want to, and I have to go in a minute."Mickey nodded, licking his lips, ready for it. Ian's voice sounded just a little frantic, urgent in a way that Mickey fully understood. When Ian went for it, kissing him just as urgently as his words had been, Mickey allowed his legs to lift out of the water hesitantly curling them around Ian's lower back. The reaction was instant, making them both groan and for Ian to nearly push him back against the dock."I have to go," Ian panted as he pulled back, his hands sliding down over Mickey's thighs, gripping them tightly, making him groan. "Before I can't."Mickey nodded, enjoying the scrape against his thighs again as Ian moved away, leaving him hard and ready. "Be careful Ian." He had to stop and clear his voice. "Promise?"Ian swam backwards, not wanting to look away until he had to. "I promise, Mickey."
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The Devil's TriangleChapter 8- Sea Caves (Ian's POV) Ian stayed after Mickey went inside. He pretended he left, going deep under the water just until Mickey made it back inside, then he swam up to the house, able to see in the window, to see him.In all reality, after they parted ways for the last time, it was too late to leave. It would take a few hours to get there and he wouldn't make it before sunrise, before his tail vanished for those long hours. He'd be stuck in the middle of the ocean, alone and vulnerable to what swims beneath the water and what glides on top of it.It was safer to stay, the water was shallow enough under the house for him to sit on the bottom and still have plenty of air. The house would hide him from anyone in range, not to mention Mickey was just inside. If he needed anything, he would be one call away, even if he never intended to tell Mickey about the curse.He wouldn't understand. No one did. Not his family, or the few friends he once had. They thought he was being selfish for wanting legs, for being willing to leave the sea forever, for love.It was still dark out as Ian peeked into the dimly lit house. It seemed nice inside, nice and dry and very human-like. All his curiosities about the shiny things he could point out had been lost the moment Mickey stepped into the main room, his clothes from earlier were gone and there was only a white towel over his hips.Ian licked his lips, staying low enough not to be seen but close enough to see everything. He could see how wet his hair was, how wet his entire body was. He had drops of water sliding down into the dry floor. He could see the strong width of Mickey's shoulders when he turned, the narrow slide to his hips but his butt was hidden from his eyes. Not his legs, those were as bare as the rest of him, making Ian grip the deck hard enough for the wood to creek.Ian wanted this human.Maybe it was selfish, maybe it would never work how it was meant to, but Ian wanted him. All of him."Mickey." Ian whispered, not at all surprised when Mickey turned around, glancing out the window, even though there was no way he could see him. But Mickey could feel him, hear him in the same way he'd found Mickey. They had a connection.Watching the ways of humans never interested him before. Not the way they sat around, not moving for hours at a time, their attention is always drawn to human devices that made no sense to him. He didn't want to watch them eat or sleep, or talk to other humans using words he couldn't understand.But he wanted to watch Mickey. Especially since he walked into the bigger room, the one with the large bed in the center, pointed directly at the window. Mickey didn't even take notice of the open windows, not covered but allowing him to look into the ocean, or letting Ian look into the room."Wow." Ian muttered to himself as Mickey sat on the edge of the bed, his legs spread almost wide enough for him to see up the towel. "Mickey."What was happening in front of him couldn't be real, not even as he watched it. Not even when his body thrummed with that sexual aura Mickey brought out of him, when that ache returned that could only be taken care of if he was willing to allow himself a moment of pleasure.Which was exactly what Mickey was doing.Mickey was now on his back against the bed, making Ian's eyes open wide as the towel around his hips parted and he finally got a glance at the rest of Mickey's beautiful body. Strong, rough hands moved over Mickey's chest, fingertips dancing over his nipples, then lower to his sternum, making Ian lick his lips and get closer.He was an incredible human. Nice and strong, his body well muscled but perfect for his shorter height. Ian could see the muscles shifting under tanned skin, he could see Mickey's eyes close as his lips parted and a silent groan was released. Ian could remember what it sounded like, he could hear those ragged breaths and when he licked his lips.It had him copying him. Ian moved his hand where Mickey did. First over his neck, then his nipples, making the same sounds, the same faces. Mickey's back bowed eagerly, making a chill run down his spine. When Mickey slowly rubbed his hands down his ribcage, Ian did the same, counting carefully until both of their fingers danced around their hips.Without anywhere else on his own body to go, Ian watched as Mickey's hand passed his hips, touching himself where he ached the most. Ian flushed hotly, causing him to splash water across his chest before he could look again. He could see Mickey's arm moving, tensing and retracting over and over again as he pleasured himself, as he took care of that ache."God, Mickey…" Ian groaned, closing his eyes as he rested his forehead against the damp deck.His entire body was aching for it, for that release. To help Mickey with his and be offered the same in return. Ian wanted to be able to kiss his lips each time he groaned, or to feel blunt nails digging into his back. Ian wanted to hear him, to see him move, to give him what he needed."Ian."At the sound of his name, Ian glanced up, eyes wide as he watched Mickey's entire body move against the bed. His legs were no longer dangling off the side, but planted on the edge of the bed, spread wide, blocking the view he once had. Ian stretched up, moved from side to side to get a better angle, to watch him but he couldn't see past his legs."Please, Ian." Mickey moaned again.Ian felt it flush down his body like fire. Mickey wanted him right now, he wanted it to be him who did this, who took care of his body, to clench that ache and make him moan. To be the one to please him. To take care of it."I'm here, Mickey," Ian moaned softly, licking his dry lips as his eyes looked down at his own body.His tail felt like it spent too much time out of the water; dry and itchy. He felt trapped, contained. Unable to give Mickey what he wanted right now, what he needed, because of his tail. Mickey needed him, Mickey wanted him.Ian let go of the deck, starting back at his neck and followed the same path as before, only this time he didn't stop at his tail. He ran one hand down the side, feeling goosebumps flare up his arms, making him groan just a little as the scales scraped his palm. He looked up at Mickey, watching him thrash against the bed, and ran his hand down his tail again, groaning a little louder."I want it, Ian," Mickey whined. "Please."The faster Mickey moved his arm, the faster Ian stroked his tail. It wasn't the same by far, but it felt the same. It eased the ache a little, it tricked his body into thinking he could have that same release. And he wanted to do it now, with Mickey. To the sound of him groaning his name, his beautiful body moving like the water."Just like that, fuck…"Ian moved his hand faster, harder, panting until he was a little light headed. Mickey was almost there, he could hear it, he could see it. Ian watched as his other hand moved between his legs, just like the other had, but further down, touching just between his cheeks, slipping in and out of his body.It had Ian holding his breath, afraid to glance away."Ian, Ian...God!" Mickey yelled, head turning into the sheets.Mickey was so close. He was on the brink, one touch away from euphoria. Ian jerked his hand away from his tail and dug his nails into his hip, pulling a groan from deep within his chest. He wanted no distractions from this, not even for his own pleasure."Do it, Mickey, please do it.” Ian groaned, almost sure Mickey could hear it."Oh, my God!!" Mickey screamed, body arching on the bed.Ian watched as he found it, as it blasted up his body so hard that it had Mickey whining, curling on his side while his body shook out of control. He could hear soft whimpering sounds, harsh breathing, his name in soft whispers, he could see the sweat dripping down his spine, his wet fingers slipping from his body.He was phenomenal.Ian felt all of it, everything Mickey experienced, only not the actual release. It felt like he reached that edge over and over but refused to fall over it, refused to let his body have it. His skin was sensitive, his tail twitched in the water quickly, sharply. His hands gripped the deck, splintering it in a few places. He was ravenous for it.The warmth on his back forced him to move away from the house before he could see Mickey's actions after. The sun was coming quickly, leaving him only seconds to swim back under the house. He sat in the shallow water, water that came up to his chest. His long tail stretched out in front of him.Then came the sun. Peaking over the horizon.Ian hissed as the burning sensation moved from his hips, down to his fin. Losing scales, being replaced by pale skin, his tail transformed into legs, his fin into feet and he was able to lean against the wooden beam until the pain eased up enough.He was human again, if only for a few hours.Normally, he hated his legs. He hated that his tail was gone for a few hours every single day. It was a curse for a reason and it lasted until the sun went back down. But he hated it even less at the moment, he was hard. Just as Mickey had been, aching and in need of attention. He could be with Mickey this way, and this way only.Normally he just left it, ignoring his needs until they passed. But this time he knew it wouldn't be so easy. Not after seeing Mickey like that, not after hearing his name over and over again. This time he wouldn’t be able to ignore it, couldn’t get the sound of his name coming from Mickey’s mouth and the amazing way his body moved against that bed.Ian shut his eyes as one hand slipped under the water and gripped himself. "Mickey." He groaned his name, just as Mickey had and started to stroke. He pictured everything he saw, what he heard, what he felt when Mickey was against him, when he felt how hard he'd been.His other arm lifted up, gripped the support beam of the house, keeping him from sinking as his legs refused to work for him. It allowed him to keep moving his other arm, to keep working towards that release."I want you, Mickey." Ian whispered, truly amazed that it easily felt ten times better by just saying his name.He pictured Mickey back in the water, one arm around his back, their heads pressed together, their lips locked. Or the way Mickey's skin tasted, or the way he sounded. Images passed through his mind in the blink of an eye, one after another amazing memory, making the sensations travel from his hips all the way down to his toes."Oh." Ian shut his eyes, a little embarrassed at the blinding speed of his arm but there was no way to stop now. He was so close, feeling it spreading to his entire body as it had before, only this time he would finish. "Mickey. Mickey…""Ian."The sound of Mickey saying his name echoed in his mind, pushing him, egging him on. His chest was moving quickly as he panted, water dripped from his hair into his eyes, across his lips, his entire body shook, growing too sensitive to touch. But there was no way he could stop. It had never felt like this before, not once."Mickey!" Ian moaned that final time and nearly fell into the water as it took over, as his release shot into the water, making his eyes close as he kept moving his arm until he was forced to let go.With no energy, Ian sank into the water until his butt hit the sand and the soft waves lapped at his neck. His body felt completely relaxed, his head resting back against the beam as he caught his breath, a smile playing on his lips, his eyes closed.Mickey made him feel like this. Like he was made of pure energy. Like nothing could ever hurt him.**(Mickey POV)There was no telling how early it was, maybe five in the morning when he heard splashing outside his window. He'd dozed off after his post shower activities, then woke up to that sound. He associated that sound with Ian trying to get his attention.It had him up off the bed, snatching the towel to wrap around his hips. The sun was low in the sky, barely up for an hour or so, but no Ian. Only the unsettling water like maybe he'd just been there a few seconds ago.When he turned around, intent on going back to bed, but he heard it again. Mickey turned fast, seeing Ian's red hair glowing in the sun, but behind him were legs? He had to shut his eyes, rubbing them with the palms of his hands before he looked again and saw one foot sticking out of the water.A human foot...no tail.That couldn't have been Ian. It had to be someone close to him, one of his few neighbors out for a morning swim, that might have had the same color hair as Ian. It had to be because what he saw, or what he thought he saw was impossible."Ian?" Mickey called loudly, studying the water where he'd seen him...or someone.No reply came, no sounds of splashing or golden tails or legs. Just nothing. Mickey shook his head as he went back inside, a little too rattled to sleep now. His body was fully awake, counting down the minutes before Ian showed, maybe he could ask him? See what his take was on it…After half an hour, he was far too restless to stay inside. He called a cab and asked to be taken to the nearest dive shop. He had his suit and mask on his boat, but no tanks. Mickey rented two of them, not flinching at the price and dropped them off at his boat before going back to his bungalow.One look outside let him know Ian wasn't there yet. It gave him enough time to try and call Mandy, even when she didn’t answer."Hey Mandy, it's Mick. Haven't heard from you in a few days, wanted to check in. See if you're okay and have any info on what we talked about last time."There was no way he would say mermaids or any code words on a voicemail. It was too easy to hack into and he wouldn't put it past Noah to do such things. He was a slimey bastard."Just gimme a call, yeah? Got more to tell you and wanna ask you something. Love you." Mickey ended the call and grabbed his coffee and went outside to wait.Was it possible for mermaids to have legs? Aside from watching The Little Mermaid with Mandy when they were kids, he hadn't given it much thought. And Ariel did have legs but there was a witch involved, and she lost her voice so Mickey was wondering how anyone could get reliable information from that. It was better to wait and hear from Mandy, or ask Ian.When his phone rang, he nearly dropped his coffee trying to dig it out of his pocket, only to see that it was Iggy and not Mandy. Probably salty because he skipped out on breakfast."Hey Igg, what's up?"Iggy scoffed. "So much for meeting for food."Mickey smiled, not sorry in the slightest. "Sorry man, late night. Didn't even sleep til the sun came up.""So he showed then?""Yeah, he showed. Said that it took some time to heal after we took that tracker out." Mickey explained, leaning back to try and relax until he wasn't so on edge."I bet, that shit had to hurt. Fine, I forgive you for missing food. We gonna see you today?""Probably not til later." Mickey glanced around quickly, feeling like he wasn't alone any more. "Waiting for him now, gonna take the boat out and head into the water.""Any signs of Noah yet?" Iggy asked.Shit, it was almost easy to forget about Noah. He'd been gone for almost four days, not a peep out of him and that was concerning. It meant that he was waiting, that he was up to something. Forming a plan to find them and track Ian another way. One that wouldn’t be so obvious."Not yet but I'm gonna keep my eyes open on the water. Gonna check for any more trackers, just in case. But him being gone this long, means he’s planning something. We need to get ahead instead of letting him come out of nowhere and ram that boat in our asses.”Iggy snorted a laugh. “He’s not as smart as he thinks he is. We proved that by getting that tracker out of Ian. But we can handle him when the time comes.”“Yeah, we will.” Mickey waited for a response.Splashing in the water caught his attention. Mickey sat up, flipped his shades to rest on his head and watched a little awestruck as Ian moved swiftly through the water and up to the dock.It felt like he had no control over his body anymore. Mickey didn't remember standing up, or moving closer, he didn't remember ending the call with Iggy or sitting on the dock. The only thing he knew was how beautiful Ian looked in the sun, how his tail really did look like liquid gold and the way his hair seemed to brighten even though it always remained the same color."Can you hear me, Mickey?" Ian asked, hands on his thighs to keep him from sliding into the water.Ian's voice was loud, booming in his ears. It drowned out the sounds around him. The water as the waves crashed into the deck, the birds above, even the sound of his pounding heart. It was all dimmed by Ian's voice."Can you tell me what you're feeling?""I feel you." Mickey answered quickly, his eyes locked on Ian's eyes. "Everything else is a little dim, like background noise except your voice."Ian nodded, smiling. "I know you're fighting it, I can feel the strain but I can't help you get out of it. You have to do it by yourself."Mickey fought it all, the intense feelings of his voice, the way it all seemed peaceful and warm when he spoke. He knew it was a trick, he knew what Ian felt like for real, his lips and his hands, his actual voice in his ear. It was the only way to get out, knowing Ian was real, that he could touch him, see him.Then it was all back in focus. The waves and the birds and the heat of the sun from above. Mickey blinked and Ian came into focus as well, holding his thighs as he stayed in the water. Mickey put his hands on top of Ian's and squeezed."I think I'm getting a handle on it." Mickey laughed, trying to get away from all that weirdness. It made him feel a little drunk, woozy. Unsettled."You are, it happens quicker every time." Ian smiled, reaching up to grab his shiny glasses. "I like these."Mickey smiled, watching Ian examine his glasses before he put them on, only the ends settled over his gills, where his ears should have been. "I think they look good."Ian tilted his head a little and they slipped off. "Would help if I had ears." He set them back on Mickey's head, thumbing his ears. "Like you."He felt that touch all over his body, leaning his face into Ian's palm before he moved away. "I'm not sure I could imagine you with them. I'm used to you like this.""I missed you." Ian said softly, rubbing his thumb over Mickey's cheekbone."I missed you, too." Mickey replied easily, waiting for the right time to ask his question. But he didn’t know what the right time was. Or when. Or even if he should ask. "Did you still want to go today?"Ian nodded, looking at his lips. "Maybe after a kiss hello?""After." Mickey whispered, leaning forward a little when Ian's grip on his jaw tightened, bringing him close. "Maybe more than one."Images of him getting off to Ian this morning flashed into his mind, making him a little breathless the second Ian's lips were on his. The kiss was more than just saying hello, Mickey wound his hands around the back of Ian's neck, holding him closer, forcing him out of the water to keep up the kiss.Ian went, both hands braced on the deck so only the bottom half of his tail was in the water."You always taste the same." Ian whispered as he moved back. "I don't know what it is, but it's always the same."Mickey's hands moved to Ian's face, stroking his jaw, thumbing lightly over the gems around his eyes. "And kissing you always makes my knees a little weak.""I know the feeling." Ian whispered quickly.God, that only made him want to ask right now. Was Ian meaning he knew the actual feeling of weak knees or just what he assumed it might feel like? Mickey wanted to ask about what he saw, he wanted to know the truth, even if he just imagined the leg part."Ready to go?" Ian asked, backing up a little."Yeah, gotta catch a ride to my boat and I'll be set." Mickey smiled, pushing his curious feelings aside again. It could wait. He just wanted to spend time with Ian right now. Nothing else mattered. "Wanna meet me at the marina or I can come back here?""It's closer from here, but I'm good with either way."Mickey looked around, a little uncomfortable with how many boats he saw in the water already. His eyes quickly scanned each of them, looking for signs of Noah's. It might be too risky to let Ian sit here and wait for him but the marina would be worse."There are too many boats for you to meet me at the marina." Mickey glanced down at Ian as he looked around. "I'm gonna go get my boat, you wanna clear all the ones here and just meet me further out?"Ian nodded. "Seems the only safe thing to do.""Okay, we got a plan. It'll take about twenty minutes to get back to the marina and check by boat out, so keep a lookout?" Mickey asked, bending down for another kiss. "And be careful. Noah is here somewhere, just don’t know where."Ian met him for the kiss, once again rising to his level long enough for their tongues to tangle and for Mickey to groan that wonderful sound. "You too, Mickey."**Twenty minutes seemed a little too long to be away from Ian, but he'd gone way longer so it couldn't have been too bad. He was just worried. The amount of boats out that early was alarming. It would be easy for Ian to be seen, or get tangled in a net or a trap. Or Noah to sneak up on them.But he moved far enough away to feel safer meeting Ian. Only one other boat was close and it had teenagers jumping off the side, not paying him any attention as he watched Ian swim alongside his boat."Hey. Any trouble?" Mickey asked, bending down over the side of the boat.Ian shook his head. "No, just took a little longer with so many of them.""Well we only have one boat close and they are preoccupied." Mickey pointed for Ian to look and he laughed a little when someone squealed loudly. "I don't think it'll be a problem.""No, it won't. We have to travel a little over an hour to reach the entrance and I'm sure they won't follow."Excitement rolled off him in waves, cave diving, with Ian. It was going to be amazing. Over half the sea caves were unknown by humans, left untouched and stayed beautiful and he would get a chance to see one. To see one of the places Ian liked to go.With Ian staying low to the water, Mickey kicked off his boots, tossed his shorts that held his wallet, phone, and keys into one corner of the boat and began getting his tank and mask. It didn’t take too long before he moved towards the edge of the boat, wearing only swim trunks and a white t-shirt. He propped the tank against the side of the boat, ready and waiting to use it.Green eyes watched his every move and he felt that lick of heat pulse its way down his body."Wanna lead the way?" Mickey asked, smiling when Ian did."I'll swim a little ahead so you can follow me but as long as you don't steer off course you'll be right with me."Mickey nodded and put his hand out, smiling when Ian linked it with his own. They parted reluctantly and Mickey waited for Ian to swim away before he started his boat and moved after him.On the water it seemed like time moved a lot faster. Mickey noticed a few islands they passed, more boats and people swimming or fishing. Ian stayed ahead of him, leading him pretty far out to open water until that's all there was around them. No more islands or boats or people, just them.Mickey turned off the engine and let it coast closer to Ian. He smiled when Ian did, seeing the flushed look on his face from moving so fast. It was incredible, moving faster than his boat did at times. It was impressive."You're fast." Mickey dropped the anchor, feeling the chain tug all the way down. "Much faster than before."Ian grinned, swimming beside the boat. "Healthier now with that tracker out. I don't feel so weighed down. Makes me faster.""I'm glad." Mickey returned the smile before he turned away to grab his gear, it was pushed up against the side of the boat, ready to go. "I can't tell you how excited I am for this. I've never been to one over here before."Ian was silent as he watched Mickey took his shirt off, then his shoes until he was only swimming wearing shorts. "Yeah, there are more than most people know about." Ian replied, glancing away for a moment only to look again.The entire time he wiggled into the wetsuit, Mickey could feel Ian's eyes on him. He would glance over every few minutes only to see Ian glance away, like he was trying not to look. That's the same way he looked at Ian. Stealing glances when he could, unable to stop for more than a few seconds at a time."Almost ready." Mickey pulled the tanks on his back, made sure his mask was in place and sat on the edge of the boat. "You okay?"Ian nodded, glancing away again. "Why?""No reason, you just seem nervous or something." Mickey made sure his knife and flashlight were on him before he slipped into the water next to Ian. "Second thoughts?""Of course not." Ian swam closer until their noses bumped. "Just a rough morning is all. I'm okay.""Okay," Mickey repeated as one hand slipped around the back of Ian's neck, pulling him down for a kiss. "Lead the way."Ian grinned, kissed him once more and slipped beneath the water.With the mask pulled into place, Mickey let himself sink too, making his body adjust from land and air to water. The water under them was clear, clear enough to notice a large wall of rock about fifteen feet down, the side of the cave. He smiled, and saw Ian smile back as he offered his hand.Mickey took it, letting Ian pull him down until he got back into the flow of it. His feet kicked fast as they sank lower and he couldn't believe he hadn't seen the cave from on his boat, it was literally an entire sheet of solid rock leading down to the floor.Beside him, Ian swam with ease. His tail moving slower than his feet, letting him keep up. Watching Ian swim was incredible, something he never wanted to stop doing. He glided through the water effortlessly, glowing like the sun followed them under. He was beautiful.The further down they got, the darker it became until the lights on his mask came on, showing him the water in front of them. Ian reached out again for his hand and Mickey held it firmly, not wanting to let go and get flipped around. It seemed to take forever and over in the blink of an eye at the same time. The entrance was literally on the bottom of the ocean, with just enough room for them to get in.Ian pointed up just before he swam inside and Mickey looked up, see a white shark at least eleven feet long swimming above them. Fear blasted down his spine, making bubbles float around him as he tried to breathe evenly. Ian's hand tightened and he looked over, silently asking if they should move.All those little fish that surrounded them, scattered, leaving in a hurry to get away from it.Ian shook his head, let go of Mickey's hand and lifted his until the tips of his fingers brushed its belly.Mickey's mouth would have dropped open in shock if he didn't have the breather between his lips. Ian was touching a shark, hundreds of teeth and all and the shark didn't even react. He just swam past them, only to circle again. Like they never existed in the first place.This time, Ian grabbed his hand and moved it up just as the shark passed again and Mickey felt the soft skin under his fingers. It felt incredible, it felt unreal. Mickey chuckled, making bubbles surround his face, making Ian laugh.But this time, the shark didn't come back and Mickey let Ian pull him down to the dark mouth of the cave. The outside of it was soft, like polished stone, but cold and hard under his palms. It was so dark, he couldn’t see much aside from that, and the dark ocean that surrounded them on all sides. Ian swam inside without hesitation, something Mickey only copied because he trusted Ian. The tanks were just small enough to let him pass without issue and swam after Ian.The cave looked different in there, less dark and creepy with all that dark stone and open water. The insides of the rock were in shades of blue, dark near the bottom but lighter as they swam up. He let his fingers rub against the side, feeling nothing but smoothness.Ian's touch on his arm made him glance up, seeing his knowing smile. Mickey kicked his feet fast to keep up, still watching the wall lighten as they grew closer to the top. And within moments, or so it seemed, they breached the water together.Mickey lifted the mask up to rest on top of his head, already laughing with excitement, breathless. "Oh, my God."The inside was incredible… half of the cave was water but further back was land, like actual land with sand and everything. The cave ceiling was at least fifteen feet up; giving him plenty of air, but enough water for Ian. The walls were those brilliant shades of blue, rippled out like someone spilled paint over and over again."Beautiful, right?" Ian smiled, leading him towards the shore.Mickey nodded, setting his tanks and mask on the ground but stayed in the water with Ian. He looked at him, unable not to smile. "Holy shit, I feel so amazing right now."Ian laughed, pulling Mickey closer. "I thought the shark might have been too much."Another dash of fear swept over him, as it should, being low on the food chain all the way out here. "I was a little scared, trust me but it was unbelievable.""I'm happy you liked it." Ian said softly, his hands sliding around Mickey's back. "You should see your face right now."Mickey blushed. Okay, maybe he was a little over excited, awestruck. He had been on the ocean his entire life and never felt anything as natural as what Ian just showed him, what he allowed him to feel and touch. He would never risk touching a white shark like that, nor did he even want to. But he had and he fucking loved it all."Aside from meeting you, this is the best thing that's ever happened to me." Mickey kept one hand on the ground but the other around the back of Ian's neck. "And both are equally beautiful.""I think only we would enjoy it so much." Ian eyed his lips, licking his own. "I'm happy to share it with you."He leaned in, speaking against his lips. "I'm happy you did too, now kiss me." Mickey playfully demanded, making them both smile."If you insist."Mickey groaned the moment their lips touched, feeling Ian's tongue against his lips had him opening instantly. It sent a shockwave down his body, making him hard and ready for what came next.Ian pushed them onto the slope of ground that led from the water up, pressing his back against it so Ian was nearly on top of him. Mickey didn't say no, he didn't break the kiss, he only gripped Ian's bulging shoulders to keep him close."Mickey." Ian whispered as he pulled back, letting their noses brush together. "I didn't mean to--"Mickey cut him off, bringing him down for another kiss as he sat up, as Ian sat just below the water. "It's okay, I liked it." He whispered back until Ian smiled and kissed him again. "That kiss kinda made me lightheaded."Ian chuckled. "Just the depth, I'm sure.""No, it wasn't." Mickey said seriously, wanting more. "So, do you sit on the ground when you're here or just stay in the water?" Changing the subject seemed easier at the moment, and that question was still on his mind.Ian moved up the slope, sitting next to Mickey on the sand, his tail was out as well, or most of it. A few feet of tail was still floating in the water. "I sit or lay down sometimes. It feels safe."Mickey nodded, looking down the long length of his tail. "So you don't hate land then?""Of course I don't hate it. Hate is a serious word for something I know almost nothing about." Ian scooted closer. "But it's different here then it is up there, we both know that.""Yeah, we do." Mickey scooted closer too until their arms lined up. "Can't be good for you to be out of water for long anyway."Ian shook his head. "I start to feel ill if my tail stays out too long, it gets dry and uncomfortable."Mickey nodded, glancing down again. This close, he could see every individual scale, layered over the next, like chainmail. The ends were tipped orange, making it seem very alive. And it went on forever. Ian's tail was twice the length of his body."Do you want to touch it?" Ian asked, seeing Mickey jump.Mickey gave a nervous laugh. "Seriously?" He glanced up, seeing a serious look on his face. "Why are you asking?"Ian shrugged. "You said you liked it and wanted to touch it but you haven't because I didn't say you could."Mickey blushed. Was he really that understanding?"And you keep looking at it." Ian gave his fin a little wiggle, making the water move. "Just thought I'd offer."Without realizing it, Mickey was already reaching for it. His hand hovered above it as he glanced up. "Are you sure?" Ian nodded with a smile. "I don't want to do it wrong. Maybe you should help me?"Ian put his hand on top of Mickey's. "You won't do it wrong unless you have anything sharp on you, but I don't see anything."Mickey held his breath as Ian lowered their hands, gently laying it on top of his tail, right where his thigh might be if he had one. It almost felt like a snake, aside from it being wet, but not in any way unpleasant. Just new. Something he wanted to get used to."Does it feel weird for me to touch it?" Mickey asked, looking up to see a dazed look on Ian's face. "Bad?"Ian shook his head, exhaling the breath he'd been holding. "Not bad, I just wasn't sure what to expect since I'm the only one who touches it. It doesn’t feel how I expected.”Mickey bit his tongue to keep from saying something a little too intense. He thought it the moment Ian said it."I wasn't sure what to expect either." Mickey said instead, lightly digging his fingers in just to feel if it made a difference. "But I love it."Ian slowly led their hands down, stroking down his tail. He sucked back his gasp, making sure he didn't give anything away. "It feels good."Mickey arched an eyebrow. "Yeah?" Ian nodded, biting his lip. "It almost feels sexual, right?" Ian's eyes widened and Mickey was relieved it hadn't been just him thinking about it. "Is it?"Ian swallowed thickly. "It can be, but I guess I didn't think about that before I offered."This really seemed like the equivalent of jerking off. No joke. It wasn't the same, but similar enough to get that vibe and apparently Ian felt it too. This was nearly the same as Ian offering to help him come, just stroking a tail instead of a cock.Mickey found that incredibly sexy, eager to do it again and again to see where it leads."Want me to stop?" Mickey asked, but Ian moved their hands back to the upper part of his tail and slid it back down until Ian let out a soft sound. "Or maybe you want more?""It's probably better to stop," he replied but held Mickey's hand down when he tried to move it. "But I like it very much."Mickey groaned, shifting his body a little until his nose bumped Ian's cheek. "You sure?" He whispered, rubbing his nose against his skin. "I don't want to make you feel uncomfortable."Ian gripped Mickey by the side of his neck, holding him close. "It doesn't, it makes it feel very good.""I want that." Mickey kissed his cheek, then his jaw until the tips of Ian's gills brushed his ear. "Can I?"Ian nodded, arching into his touch. "Just know that it won't go anywhere, not like humans."Meaning Ian wouldn't come, he knew that much but it was easy to forget when they touched. They got too caught up to remember there was a species boundary. But that didn't mean he wanted to stop."It's all up to you, Ian." Mickey kissed down his neck, licking the salt water from his skin. "I don't want to tease you like that.""I want to." Ian nearly whined. "I want you."Mickey groaned into his neck, his other hand going around Ian's back, holding him closer. "I want you so fucking bad." He sucked his neck, his body heating as Ian moaned. "Just tell me if I need to stop."Ian nodded and took his hand from Mickey's, letting him do it. He put his hand on Mickey's leg, digging his nails in. "Mickey…""Shh, it's okay." Mickey kissed his neck again and again. "I got you." His hand moved down again, sliding down Ian's tail slowly, sensually. Ian gasped sharply. "I love the way you sound.""Oh, God." Ian groaned, turning to press their heads together. "It feels good."Mickey tilted his head so he was able to watch his hand move down Ian's tail, never stroking up against the scales, but down, over and over again. Ian's entire body moved, squirming, rubbing against him, making them both groan harder."You're so beautiful, Ian." Mickey whispered as he kissed along his shoulder, then over one side of his chest. "You're fucking incredible right now.""Your mouth…" Ian moaned, wrapping his arm around Mickey, like Mickey did to him, tugging at the suit. "Can I do the same to you? Please? I'd rather us do it together."That alone nearly made him come. Mickey stilled his hand on Ian's tail and moved back to look at his flushed face. Searching his eyes, eyes so blissed out, hooded and full of lust. "You want to?"Ian nodded, pushing against his head. "I really want to.""Fuck," he cursed. He didn't know if this was a good idea or not, but he pulled back, meeting Ian's eyes as he unzipped the wetsuit. This definitely wasn’t a good idea. But he couldn’t stop himself. He was so far gone. “You sure?"Ian turned, his tail bending a little as he gripped both sides of Mickey's suit and helped him peel it back. "I'm very sure, Mickey. I wanted it last night, I want it now."Mickey pulled Ian in for a kiss the second his arm was free. Their kiss was a little chaotic, need driven. Ian helped him peel the suit off until he kicked it off next to him, leaving him in only a pair of swimming shorts."Are you taking off all of it?" Ian asked between kisses, one hand low on Mickey's stomach."Not a good idea," Mickey groaned, looking down to see his cock pushing against the shorts already, giving Ian a pretty good look. He didn’t want to overwhelm him by being fully naked. They needed to take baby steps to do this. "Just a little.""I love your body, Mickey." Ian whispered, his hands moving up and down his chest, teasing him. "It does things to me…" He trailed off, pushing his head down to kiss over one shoulder. "I want to touch you all over."Images of him laying back and Ian kissing his way down his body flashed into his mind at warp speed, sending all corresponding emotions with it. He wanted to feel it all, his mouth, his tongue, his hands moving down over him, easing that ache. He wanted Ian's head bobbing up and down his cock, moaning all around him."And I want to touch you all over." Mickey replied, stealing a kiss from his mouth. "One step at a time, yeah?" Ian nodded, glancing down. "I don't suppose you've ever…?"Ian shook his head, lying. "But you can show me what you want, just like I showed you.""That works." Mickey kissed him again, groaning when Ian deeped it and he took that time to slip a hand onto his shorts, groaning into the kiss as he grabbed himself, pulling his cock out. "God."Ian slid his hand down, lightly resting over Mickey's. "Just tell me how you like it and I can do it.""Fuck, Ian." Mickey groaned from his words alone and put his hand on top of Ian's and let Ian touch him. The intense feeling was instant, making his spine straighten up. "God, it's already amazing."Ian smiled, sliding his other hand up Mickey's back. "You're very lovely, Mickey." He licked his lips as he glanced down, watching, truly amazed at the sight of him. "I almost can't close my hand around you."Mickey whimpered. Again this was Ian's version of sex talk and he was already breaking him down. He’d heard some truly nasty talk in his days before but with Ian…the simplest words had him wanting to come like a virgin."Show me." Ian urged, heads pressed together again."Slow." Mickey instructed breathlessly, licking his dry lips as he guided him. He slid their hands down his cock, gripping tightly before he moved back up. "Fuck, that's good. Just keep a good grip and go up and down.""You do me, I'll do you and I'm probably going to kiss you the entire time."Mickey chuckled, moving his hand back to Ian's tail, grinning when gasped too. It felt a little weird that they were doing the same thing just in different ways, but he wanted it all. "I'm good with that."They met for that kiss, their hands unsure but determined as they moved. As Mickey's hand smoothed back down Ian's tail, Ian's hand moved on his cock, making them both groan deeply. Their lips met as frantically as their hands, breaking apart to breathe and groan together, to watch.Mickey was obsessed with the way Ian's webbed hand looked around him, so delicate but with a grip strong enough to make him groan, to make him sweat and move against him. He was addictive in a way that had nothing to do with those “mystical powers.” No, this was just how Ian was, how he sounded. Everything about him."You feel so amazing, Mickey." Ian groaned, gripping tighter as he kissed his jaw. "I can feel you pulsing and leaking into my hand.""Fuck fuck." Mickey moaned, just as turned on by his words as he was with his hand. "I wish I could do more for you, Ian." He kept stroking, moving faster as Ian did, not caring when he could feel the skin on his palm chafing. It was making Ian feel good and there was no way he was going to stop."You're doing plenty." Ian groaned to make his point. "When you dig your nails in, I can feel it from my hair all the way to the tip of my tail, like a spider web, pulsing to every part of my body.""Good, I want that for you." Mickey groaned again, trying not to fuck into Ian's fist. He was edging closer to his orgasm, like it rested just below the surface for when it was needed. "I needed this last night, I wanted it so bad. I couldn't stop thinking about it."Ian kissed him, biting at his bottom lip. "Me too. I thought about it all night."Before he could come, Mickey put his hand on top of Ian's, stilling it as he tried to breathe evenly. His body twitched. Pulsating. "If you keep going I'm gonna come."Ian tried to move his hand but Mickey's grip was too tight. He fought him for control. "That's what's supposed to happen, Mickey. I know you want to.""I do but--" Ian cut him off, kissing him, swirling his tongue into his mouth before he pulled back and suddenly he didn't know why he wanted to stop."Don't make me stop again, please?" Ian begged, moving Mickey's hand off his so he could keep moving it up and down slowly. "I want to see you this way, I want to remember it later. To replay it."Mickey had all but abandoned stroking Ian's tail, it was too hard to focus on anything besides Ian's hand. "Okay, only because you really want to.""Thank you." Ian kissed him quickly, moving to his neck to kiss along there as well. "I can't wait to see you again, to watch you come."Mickey was too far gone to notice the slip when Ian said 'again.' He was too focused on the incredible feeling of Ian's hand and his mouth, pushing him closer. "I feel it, Ian, fuck, I feel it."Ian nodded, pushing a little until Mickey was laying back in the sand. He turned, moving to be able to kiss on Mickey's throat. "Just feel it, Mickey, just let me make you come."Mickey had no choice, he was only able to nod, his hand moving to the back of Ian's neck, guiding him down his chest. "Oh god, oh fuck…" He spread his legs, needing more.Ian moved his arm fast, sucking Mickey's skin into his mouth to kiss and nip it with his teeth, making him thrash and whine. "Maybe I should use my mouth instead?" He asked, licking his lips as he glanced down."Fuuckk!!" Mickey came hard, from the words alone. He pictured coming into Ian's mouth, green eyes looking up at him in that curious way. It had his busy bucking, pushing into Ian's hand, gripping the back of his neck to keep him at his ribs. "Holy shit."Ian smiled, slowly moving his hand and watched his come drip down his sides. "Can I…?" He asked shyly, glancing up to cloudy blue eyes, then down to his stomach."Shit." Mickey closed his eyes, willing his body not to get hard again so fast. "You want to?" He asked, breathless, still worked up as if he hadn't come yet. Ian was unstoppable.Ian nodded, stopping his hand. "But not if you don't want me to.""I think if you do, it'll make me hard again." Mickey chuckled but it was far from funny. He reached down, tipping Ian's chin up to find his eyes and saw come under his chin. "Looks like I got ya." He wiped it with his thumb and showed it to Ian."I don't mind." Ian smiled shyly as he moved quickly, sucking Mickey's thumb into his mouth, groaning at the taste."Fuck, Ian," Mickey fell back against the sand as he tried not to think about how Ian's tongue would feel wiggling against other parts of him. "You're gonna fuckin kill me."Ian pulled back. "I hope not."Mickey chuckled and Ian moved as he reached for his shorts, tugging them up enough to cover himself. "If you keep doing shit like that it's very possible." He dipped his hand into the water, then dumped it on his stomach to wash his orgasm away. "You were amazing."Blushing, Ian looked away. "So were you. And I'm happy I could help you."It took only a moment of silence to realize what he missed before, when Ian had been talking to him. His mind had been clouded with lust, but Ian said again. He wanted to watch him...again."Holy shit." Mickey said abruptly, making Ian flinch next to him. "That was you, wasn't it?"Ian looked away. "What was me?""I saw you this morning. When you said you left." Mickey tried to replay what he saw in his mind. Legs instead of a tail. "I saw you Ian, with legs."Ian's eyes widened and he slowly inched down towards the water. "I don't know what you're talking about." He glanced at the water. "We should go."Mickey moved with him, lightly touching his arm. "Yes, you do know what I'm talking about. I saw you, you had legs, like human legs, no tail." He glanced down at it. "How?""Mickey, we should really go." Ian insisted again, turning away. "I don't want to talk about this.""I won't tell anyone, Ian." Mickey insisted, catching scared green eyes. "I thought I might be going crazy when I saw it, but it was real.""I know you won't tell anyone, but that's not why I don't want to talk about it.""You've had them this whole time?" Mickey blasted past what Ian said. "I'm here freakin out cuz I can't touch you like that and this whole time you've had legs."When Ian didn't say anything, Mickey took a deep breath, trying to stay calm. Trying not to be an asshole and push him. Which is what just happened and now he felt like an asshole."Shit. I'm sorry." Mickey let go of Ian's arm, moving to put his wetsuit back on. "Just forget I asked, we should go."Ian wrapped his arms around his body, not looking at Mickey anymore. "I'll take you to the boat.""I didn't mean to be pushy." Mickey offered quietly. God, he went and fucked everything up with just a few words. "I just thought I was seeing shit. And if you don't want to tell me or come around anymore, I understand."Ian didn't look up.Fuck, he ruined it. Mickey wanted to kick himself because of it. He fucked up a good thing by being too damn curious. He should have just left it alone and returned the favor to Ian, to see if he could make him feel good. Instead he pushed him away. "I can find my own way, no worries."That got Ian to look over, feeling a little shaky. "I didn't tell you because I hate it. It's not a random occurrence, Mickey, mermaids don't just develop legs."Mickey grabbed his mask, scooting over a little to give them both space. He didn’t want to push again and he had no idea how to fix it. "You don't have to tell me."Ian reached out, setting his hand on Mickey's wrist. "You're about to leave thinking you did something wrong. I was about to let you leave believing it and we would never see each other again."Mickey looked up, actually afraid of what he said. "That's not what I want, Ian. I didn’t mean to ruin the moment, to push for information and be an asshole. I waited for a good time to ask about what I saw…” he sighed. “But everything gets confusing when we touch, I get sucked in.""Me either." Ian moved closer until his chest was nearly touching Mickey's arm. He moved his hand up to Mickey's face, stroking it lightly. "I don't want you to leave. I don't want anything between us to change over this.""It won't." Mickey promised, cupping the side of Ian's face until his gills fluttered along his hand. "I just got a little too excited, that's all. You really don't have to tell me.""I know I don't have to, but I want to." Ian smiled when Mickey did and kissed his hand. "But I'd rather show you, then explain."His eyes widened. "You sure? Don't just do this because I want to. You have to want to show me." He meant what he said and waited for Ian to understand. That it had to be up to him to do this."I want to." Ian said firmly. "I don't want us to have any secrets, and that's my biggest one but it's not an easy story to tell." His heart clenched painfully. "It's embarrassing and painful and it was a long time ago.""Okay, then we can talk about it if you want." He pulled Ian into a kiss when he smiled. "When does this happen?"Ian pulled back, but not away. "It happens at dawn for a few hours. It's hard to get around with no tail which is why I stayed last night. I kinda ran out of time."Mickey knew he kept Ian too long, he could feel it. But if Ian was there the entire night, that meant he saw him jerking off. Obviously he saw him, Ian said 'again' and that meant he saw it and heard it."Shit," Mickey laughed a little nervously, feeling like a virgin all over again. "You weren't supposed to see that."Ian blushed. "I probably shouldn't have invaded your privacy like that, but I couldn't look away." He remembered every single minute of it. "You said my name.""I did," Mickey licked his lips, eyeing Ian's. Just saying Ian’s name made his orgasm easily ten times as powerful as just doing it alone. "It just came out. I hope it doesn't make you feel uncomfortable.""The opposite actually." Ian blushed again at Mickey's reaction. "I kinda...um...my legs, so…" he couldn't even say it, but Mickey knew."Oh, fuck." Mickey groaned, picturing Ian jerking off in the water, because of him. After watching him. "You did?" His voice was rather deep, making Ian blush again as he nodded. "Did it make you come?"Ian shifted, his tail moving from side to side as he remembered it vividly. "I did. I thought about you, what you looked like and how you sounded…" he gasped a little, face flushed. "Saying your name made it happen pretty quickly.""Jesus, fuck," Mickey groaned and pulled Ian to his mouth, kissing the next groan from him. Ian gripped his arms, pulling him closer as he kissed him back. "I wish I could have seen it, Ian." He whispered breathlessly. "I would have helped.""I'm sure that would have made it happen faster." Ian gasped and pushed their heads together. "You looked marvelous like that, Mickey. I saw everything."Mickey let out a desperate sounding groan as he listened to Ian recap what he saw. And he saw everything."The way you touched your body; first your chest, then over your nipples." Ian unzipped his suit to rub one of his thumbs over Mickey's nipple, making him groan. "I did it too, touching myself as you did."This was too much. Of course Mickey knew what he did, but hearing Ian say it made it so much sexier. Add in the fact that Ian did it too, touching himself as he had, or as much as he could and it had him hard again.Ian pressed their lips together for a lingering kiss. "You moved down to your stomach, then your hips as the towel fell away and I could see you." He groaned. "I could see all of you, Mickey.""Ian…" he moaned, moving closer to put his hand back on Ian's tail, picking up where he left off, softly stroking. He wanted to please him, just as Ian had done to him. "Wish I could have seen you, helped you, listened to you come."That had Ian shivering a little, the soft touch to his tail made pleasure dance down the length of it. "I watched you stroke, your grip was tight and it had you spreading your legs wide open."Mickey rubbed Ian a little harder, digging his nails in enough to make Ian groan against his mouth. "Did you keep going or just watch?""I did as you are." He looked down, watching Mickey's hand move. "It didn't feel nearly as good as this, but it made me feel like I was with you, making you feel that way."Ian jerking off to him jerking off was the sexiest thing he'd ever heard of in his entire life. It went passed porn with guys pounding each other into the bed, it went passed the feeling he got from using his dildo at home or even letting one of his hook ups fuck him. This; Ian, was on an entirely different level."I wish it would have been." Mickey replied and had to spread his legs again because he was hard again. "Wish I could have seen the water all around you, the moonlight on your skin." He moved his hand up, where Ian's cock would normally be and added a little pressure."Mickey!" Ian gasped sharply, feeling light headed again.Moving to his neck, Mickey began to suck against his skin, biting a little as Ian moaned louder. "I would have done this, kissing you, talking to you as I made you come. Fuck, I bet your cock is big, hmm? Maybe I'd need two hands for you.""Mickey, please," Ian panted, holding Mickey against his neck. "I have that feeling, but I can't…" He trailed off, his entire tail pulsing. "I can't come like this. I've tried.""Maybe I can make you," he pulled back a little to see Ian's face flushed, his chest pumping quickly as he panted. "I bet I can find that one spot on your body that makes you come, even like this." His palm pressed against Ian's tail harder, his other hand moved down Ian's back. "Can I?"Ian nodded fast. "You can try but I don't think--" his entire body spasmed as Mickey's hand moved down his lower back. "Oh, fuck." He copied Mickey's words, surprised by one simple touch and that effect. "Mickey?"Satisfaction thrummes through his body making him chuckle against Ian's jaw. "Right there, huh?" He looked back, his fingertips were on those dimples in Ian's lower back just before the scales took over. He added a little pressure and Ian's body spasmed. "Yeah, that's it.""I've never felt that before." Ian whined, urging Mickey back to his mouth. "God, it feels so good."Mickey nodded, biting Ian's lower lip. "Should I stop?"Ian shook his head, holding onto the back of Mickey's neck. He couldn’t let him go or he’d sink into the water. "Please don't. I want it.""Good." Mickey whispered, going right back to his neck to kiss and bite against his soft, pale skin. He tasted like saltwater but Mickey didn’t mind. The hand on Ian's back moved in a circular motion, adding the same pressure as the hand on Ian's tail, but did them simultaneously until Ian's body started to convulse. "Come on Ian, it'll feel so good.""Yes," he dropped his head back. "Keep going, I feel it." His voice trembled, just like his body. He added his own hand with Mickey's, pressing down harder until he did too. "Just like that."It had Mickey groaning, panting into his neck, it had him talking, he couldn't stop it. "God, I bet you'd fuck so good, Ian. Gettin in deep and goin hard cuz you're so fucking strong.""Oohh," Ian closed his eyes, feeling it build to overwhelming levels. "Just like you did with your fingers?" He whispered quickly, slightly embarrassed for asking. "I saw them going in and out of your body, making you scream."Fuck, Ian saw him fingering himself, getting off because of it."Just like that, Ian," Mickey pressed down harder, moaning as Ian did. "Come for me, please. Let me watch.""Oohh God!" Ian felt that wave of heat and pleasure blast up his body, going from the tip of his tail, all the way to his hair. His tail tensed, his arms too, making his spine straighten just like it did when he had legs. "Mickey!"Of course there was no actual come, but Mickey felt Ian get there, he felt that orgasm blow into his entire body until he sagged against him, panting and whining, twitching. He stopped pushing his hands down and hugged Ian closer to him, kissing over his face, petting his hair back."Just breathe." Mickey coaxed, smiling as Ian's hands gripped his arm. "I gotcha Ian, just feel it.""Feels like I can't breathe." Ian huffed, actually breathless. "Could we go into the water?"Mickey glanced down, worried. "Are you okay?"Ian nodded. "Just a little in shock I think but I can't slide down." He tried to get his tail to cooperate but it wasn't having any of it. "I'm sorry.""Nothin to be sorry for, Ian." Mickey kissed his temple and slowly wiggled them down until most of Ian's body was in the water. "Better?"His entire body seemed to relax, soaking up the water eagerly until he didn't feel so worn out. "Much better, thank you." Ian smiled as he turned to kiss Mickey's lips. "That was just…I can't even...wow."Mickey grinned, keeping him close as he slowly pet down his body. "You're welcome. I'm happy I could help."Ian turned his head, so his face was pressed into Mickey's neck. He took a deep breath, feeling it calming him almost instantly. "I never want to leave here."Mickey hugged him closer, still brushing his hair back while he rubbed up and down his side. "It can be like this all the time Ian, not just here. All we need is you and me and we have it."Ian nodded, kissing his throat. "If only the rest of the world thought the same." He sighed deeply, moving closer. "I wouldn't have to hide or worry about people.""Back home, where I live," Mickey clarified. "I live right on the beach. No one would bother you there except maybe Mandy."Ian smiled at the familiar name of the girl he saw."I'm sure we could make it as safe as possible." Mickey moved back to press their faces together, stroking over Ian's cheek. "I'd do what I could to make it happen, to make it safe for you.""I know you would, Mickey." Ian slid his hand up Mickey's bare chest once more before he zipped up the suit. "And I'm willing to try, but we have to be careful.""We will, I promise." Mickey sealed it with a soft kiss, one that Ian deepened by gripping the back of his neck. "You make me so fucking happy it's incredible." He chuckled when Ian did. "I haven't been happy in a long time.""Me either." Ian sat up, moving his tail a little. "We should probably get you back before your humans worry."Mickey laughed and let Ian slide into the water as he busied himself with the tanks and his mask. "My humans have names. My brother, he's a strange lookin bastard, his name is Iggy. Quinn is a big buff guy, looks like he's made of solid rock but he's as mean as a damn teddy bear."Ian smiled as Mickey slipped in behind him. "And the other?""That's Knox, the guy with a buzzed head and too many tattoos, he's been my best friend since before I can remember." Mickey kissed Ian once more before the mask got in the way. "And you should meet them, I'm sure they would like you."Ian smiled shyly. "Really?"Mickey nodded. "Then they can be your humans too.""I would like that." Ian smiled again and helped Mickey put his mask and mouthpiece on. "Remember to stay close to me, just in case. Not all sharks just let you pet them."Mickey nodded seriously and followed Ian as he dipped back under the water. Ian held his hand the further down they got, letting him readjust like last time. But after a while, swimming next to Ian felt natural, it felt good. By the look Ian gave him, he thought so too.The mouth of the cave was still creepy enough to send a chill down his spine. The insane image of a shark biting his head off the moment he stuck it out was at the front of his mind, making him hesitate. But it was just that unknown part of the ocean, that unfamiliar territory even if he had been on it his entire life.And just like before, Ian slipped out first, waiting for him to slip the tanks off and pass it through before he could join him on the other side and put it back on. No sharks lurking this time, but the water seemed unnaturally calm, not even fish swam anywhere near them.The second Mickey looked up and saw another dark shadow in the shape of a boat next to his, he knew why. It had to be Noah. No one else would be bothering them all the way out there. Which meant that Noah had realized the tracker wasn't attached to Ian anymore and found them.This was not good.If they went up, Noah would see Ian. He would see them together and wonder where they had gone or why he needed scuba gear. Noah would be tempted to look for where they were, finding Ian's cave and rendering it unsafe, just like Ian was afraid of.Before Ian could swim up, Mickey grabbed his hand, making him look down, his beautiful face now a mask of confusion. He pointed up, waiting for Ian to follow and realize they were no longer alone and green eyes widened as Ian sank lower, afraid.Even though he couldn't talk, Mickey could still communicate. He held Ian's hand in his own, bringing him up enough to rest against his chest and stroked his hair back. Ian was shaking, trembling and gripping his back so hard Mickey was sure the wetsuit ripped.When he pulled back, he let their heads rest together. Mickey pointed to Ian's chest, then down to the cave, making sure Ian understood that he wanted him to go back. To not follow him up.Ian shook his head, in distress. Mouthing words Mickey couldn't understand. His hands animated, pointing up, then down, back at him and to his own chest. Ian didn't want to go up, but he didn't want to leave him either.But going alone was the only way.Grabbing Ian's hands, Mickey put them to his chest, right above his heart and it had Ian stilling, staring at him with worried eyes. Mickey pointed again, telling him one more time to stay, that it was okay and he could handle it.Ian pulled him in close, hugging him. Mickey hugged him back tightly, letting Ian pull away. Mickey touched his face and his hair, wanting to kiss him but he couldn't so Ian kissed the mask softly and started to sink.Mickey waited until Ian was inside the mouth of the cave before he swam back up, thankful that he still had his knife in case he needed it. Sharks in the water no longer worries him. It’s what waited above. From the rock of the boats, he could tell that Noah or his men had boarded his own, probably looking for signs of Ian.On the water, that was enough to get you shot.Quietly, Mickey breached the water and let his mask slide around his neck. He reached down, gripping the blade firmly in his hand and he glanced around.Chatter from above was muffled but angry. Mickey could hear them stomping, searching his boat. Noah was barking orders at them, getting angry. Blaming them for his mistakes. Just like a poor leader would do."Wilcox, in the water."Mickey rolled his eyes as goon number one spotted him. There was no safe way to get on his boat yet because he spotted a few guns amongst the men and knew Noah's morals were as fucked up as he feared them to be."Get the fuck off my boat." Mickey snapped, treading water and hoped to god nothing but Ian pulled him under."Bitch move there, Mick," Noah smiled and put one foot on the side of the boat. "Finding my tracker, making me go on a little goose chase. It was ballsy."Mickey smiled back. "Good to know at least one of us has a set." He wanted to laugh at Noah's glare but the gun in his right hand made him hesitate. "Sorry to say but he's long gone. Not gonna find him on my boat, or by following me when I decide to swim."Noah tilted his head, studying the tanks. "Two tanks huh? Must be quite a dive there." His eyes searched the water. "He must be close."Mickey shook his head, making sure to give nothing away. "He's not.""Well, we might need to take a dive and see for ourselves."Noah was baiting him again, hoping he would tell him not to go, confirming that Ian was under there. "Go ahead, I'm done for the day. Just get off my shit and leave."Noah straightened up, tossing Mickey's keys in his hands. "I bet we wouldn't stand a chance against him in the water, too quick, able to breathe and we can't. Maybe I'll just take your boat for a little ride, whatcha think?"Mickey clenched his jaw. "I think my crew would notice me gone all fuckin day and send the coast guard.""Not if I check your boat back into the marina." Noah grinned, spinning the gun around his finger. "Iggy would take a good look at it and assume you went off with my mermaid.""He will never be yours, Noah." Mickey growled, feeling all too territorial."He might be if I leave your ass out here." He tossed the keys behind him, knowing they'd be caught and a few moments later, it started. "I bet you'll drown first, get tired and sink. Or maybe one of the sharks I saw will nab you.""A bitch move like that won't work. I'm stronger than you and I know I'll make it." He smiled, even if that fear was there, warning him he would be stuck in the middle of the ocean without a boat. "Just remember payback's a bitch. So when I get back and find you, this little game you started goes up a notch."Noah clenched his teeth, gripping the gun tightly. "Let's up the stakes." He fired a shot in the water.Mickey was pulled under as they opened fire, looking down to see Ian holding his leg. He knew Noah wouldn't shoot him, but he was trying to scare him and Ian was far too close to the boat.He kicked his leg free, telling Ian that it was okay and slipped off the tanks to float beside him before a bullet clipped one and blew his ass up, then emerged from the water and the gunfire stopped."Pussy." Mickey smiled, watching it piss Noah off even more. "That the best you got?"Noah shook his head and gripped the knife that was handed to him. "Nope, not even close." He threw it hard, puncturing the side of the tank until it bounced around the water.Mickey swam away, not wanting to get hit and watched all the air from both tanks vanish. No more diving. "I can't wait until I make it out of this shit. I'm gonna sink that pretty boat and piss on it while it sinks to the bottom."Motion below let Mickey know that Ian was still close, willing to pull him back under, out of the way if necessary. He made no move to show Noah that something was up, nothing but eye contact."If you make it." Noah whistled and two of his men came up beside him carrying a big bucket. "But you might have a shark problem real soon."Mickey didn't have time to move, or time to signal Ian to pull him down before that entire bucket fell on him, covering him in chum. Blood and fish guts, chunks of meat falling on him, sinking into the water.Sharks would swarm there in a matter of minutes, which is what Noah wanted. "You piece of shit!!" M Mickey yelled but both boats were already being pulled away with Noah laughing on the back."Mickey, we have to go." Ian said fearfully, making sure to hide behind him. "We don't have much time."Mickey looked away from the boats to see absolute fear on Ian's face. "Go where. I have no boat, my tanks are gone and we are fucked!" He yelled, panicking."The cave is our only chance." Ian looked below, seeing swift movement. "Hold your breath, I'll pull you as fast as I can."Mickey shook his head, looking around to see only water. No land. He was officially panicking. "I will run out before we make the trip up."Ian grabbed his face. "I can breathe underwater, Mickey. I can give you enough air to make it back inside. But we have to go."There was no other choice. Mickey took a deep breath, kept his knife close to his chest and let Ian drag him under by a firm grip on his wrist. The water was too bloody to see through. Only chunks of fish and fast movement on the other side of the cloud of blood; sharks.Ian pulled him as fast as possible but they were already out of time. His chest started to ache halfway to the cave, losing air. Sharks swam around them, zipping in and out of the blood pool, circling them like the animals they were.Suddenly they weren't swimming anymore and Ian was pressing his mouth against his, breathing clean, fresh air in. His body greedily absorbed it, closing his mouth as Ian moved away, gripping him again as they swam to the entrance of the cave.Fast movement above made him turn, there was a shark coming right at them, eyes focused on them, its food. With the scent of blood in the water and targets in sight, it wouldn't back down. Mickey moved his knife from side to side, trying to get it to back off. It didn't. It swam faster and he managed to slice the tip of its nose before he reared back and swam away.Those teeth…Mickey would never forget.Mickey was being shoved into the entrance just as an entire group of sharks rushed them, slamming against the side hard enough to make the entire cave shake. They wouldn't be able to get in, the opening was too narrow, but he was running out of air again as Ian was pulling him up.With a firm grip, Mickey managed to get Ian to slow down, pointing at his mouth until Ian realized what he needed and did a repeat of the air exchange, breathing air into his mouth long enough to get his body to relax.Mickey nodded, cupping Ian's face for a minute before he helped kick himself all the way to the surface deep within the cave. They popped out of the water, Mickey took breath after deep breath, trying to let his body know that he was okay. He even let Ian pull him up to the sand where they'd been about half an hour ago."Are you okay?" Ian asked, cupping Mickey's face."I'm okay," he panted, feeling his body weaken from the adrenaline, fear and lack of air. "Just worked up, tired and fuckin mad. That asshole!!" He screamed, holding onto Ian as he flinched, as he tried not to freak out."What do we do?" Ian asked, making sure Mickey didn't get bitten anywhere. "The sharks can't get in but we can't go out. Or you can't. I'm faster than them.""We wait until it clears, then you have to go."Ian shook his head, fear all over his face. "I can't leave you here."This time, Mickey cupped his face, trying to calm him enough to hear him, to break through the fear and actually listen to the words. "Ian, you just said we can't leave. I can't. But you're faster, you can swim back and get help."A new wave of fear came fast that had everything to do with humans. "Who? I can't just pop up and tell someone."That made Mickey smile, helping him calm down enough to stroke Ian's face, that itself helped calm himself down as well as Ian. "My humans, Ian, you have to find them. Either at the marina by my boat or at the house. They won't hurt you."Ian took a shuddering breath. "I'm scared, Mickey.""I know." He whispered, breathing passed his heartbeat to kiss Ian's trembling lips, not telling him how afraid he was, for both of them. "But you have to. We don't have any other way. I can’t stay out here. And who knows if Noah will come back and actually dive to look for you like he said he would."Ian nodded. "I know." He kissed Mickey again, and again and again until he was breathless. "I'm not waiting for the sharks to back off, it'll take hours and if my legs come back, we are both in trouble."Mickey handed him the knife, making Ian wrap his hand around it and squeeze. Ian didn’t want it, that was clear, but he took it. "Take it, use it if you need to. Humans or sharks or whoever. You can do this."Ian nodded even when the feel of the knife made him want to vomit. "I'll be as quick as I can, Mickey, I promise."The kiss they shared was full of worry and fear, hopelessness. But under that, there was trust, love. Mickey knew Ian would come back, with or without the help and they would figure it out. But that didn't make the fear any less real, if anything it made him more afraid. Ian could get hurt or captured. Noah could grab him and no one else would know where he was and he would die. Ian would die."I believe you, Ian," Mickey whispered and pulled back. "Be careful, don't let him get you."Ian sank into the water, crying as he held the knife in a firm grip. "I promise."
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
The Devil's Triangle
Chapter 9- Bait(Ian's POV)It felt like hours had passed since he left the cave, since he left Mickey. Alone and nearly a hundred miles underwater, with no one knowing where he was. With no way to get out if anything happened to him.It didn't matter how hard he fought the swarm of sharks, shedding more blood then he did with that tracker, it didn't matter how hard and fast he swam, until his tail ached and screamed for a break, until he was panting from over exertion, it still wasn't fast enough.The only good thing that happened, or didn't happen, was he didn't run into Noah or any other human issues. Aside from a shark face off and getting caught in a fishing line, which he had to use Mickey's knife to get out of, he had no problems swimming back.Only now, he didn't know what to do. Mickey's boat was parked in the marina just like it had been last night. No signs of Noah or his gun toting humans, but no signs of Mickey's humans either. No one familiar enough for him to risk his safety, not to mention Mickey's if the wrong person saw him and decided they wanted a mermaid too.For what seemed like hours, Ian stayed at the marina, circling Mickey's boat like a shark, waiting. Peeking up every now and then to scan the humans lingering around, searching for the right humans but found nothing.He couldn't wait forever. Every second he was there, Mickey was alone, probably scared even if he didn't openly admit to it. It had Ian on edge just thinking about it, it had him irritated and vengeful. It made him want to find Noah, drag him down to the deepest cave and leave him there.With nothing else to do, Ian swam away from the marina, feeling at least one shark slowly trailing behind him, following the steady flow of blood from various wounds all over him. It was nothing to be concerned over, the wounds or the sharks because as long as they stayed a certain distance away, he was fine.Compared to this morning, Mickey's human house had less boat traffic at this time of day. Ian only had to circle one or two before he was in the clear, making sure to stay as far down as he could so the light wouldn't reflect off the water and onto his tail, making him a beacon in the water, a target.And unlike this morning, when it was quiet and peaceful, the house was no longer empty. Ian could see at least two people moving from inside, maybe a third but he was having a hard time sensing that one. These had to be Mickey's humans, or Noah...both of which Ian was not ready to see. The knife gripped tightly in his hand proved that. He was willing to do as Mickey said, to use it on humans or sharks or whatever stood in his way.The end of the dock didn't allow him to see much, nor hear the humans talking and even with that fear he felt since he left the cave, Ian swam closer, getting to the spot he was last night as he watched Mickey. It allowed him to see two of Mickey's humans moving around inside.Ian let out a deep breath, feeling a little hopeful now that he knew these weren't Noah's guys. Now he could signal them, tell them about Mickey and Noah and get back as soon as possible, night was getting closer, making this entire thing that much more dangerous.But how did he signal the humans? Mickey always seemed to know he was around, either he expected him or he could feel him out, but Ian didn't have that connection with these humans. He would have to signal them a different way.The water was probably the easiest way to make himself known. Ian set the knife down on the deck, swam back far enough away and created a big tide pool as he swam in a circle, making the water rise and thrash against the deck and the side of the house. He stopped abruptly, the wave hit his tail just the right way for all that water to go sailing against one window.Ian quickly grabbed the knife, squeezing it hard as he kept it close to his chest and waited. It took less than five seconds for them to appear. All three of them and Ian was sure these were the right humans, even if he never got a good look at them before."Holy shit!!"Ian didn't react, he didn't flinch or bat an eye as they stared at him with large eyes and open mouths, clearly in shock. He was too eager to get back, too afraid to hesitate. If he did, something bad could happen."I need your help." Ian said deeply, looking from one to the other to the next and back again. "Can I trust you?"They didn't speak for a moment, clearly trying to figure out if this was real. Ian watched them glance at each other, confirming he was really there and how to react to it."You three are Mickey's humans, correct?" Ian asked when they still hadn't said anything.They nodded at the same time and it took him a second to realize that they were under the same pull Mickey had been. Only they weren't as strong willed, so they didn't or couldn't fight it. They each took a step forward, closer to him and the edge of the dock.Ian put his tail under the water and sent it sailing back up, hitting them all right in the face. They coughed and swatted at the water, blinking passed the confusion and gaining back whatever self will they had."Are you Mickey's humans?" Ian asked again, jaw clenched tightly."Yes, we are." Iggy's eyes widened. "You're Ian?""I am." Ian answered curtly. "And I need your help.""Where's Mickey?" Knox asked, taking a step forward.They all eyed the knife in his hands, clearly recognizing it as Mickey's and he could feel them on edge now, weary of him. As well they should be. Their eyes moved over his body, seeing the cuts and scrapes and blood, as well as the circling sharks around him, only adding to the strangeness of all this."Mickey and I went out earlier this morning," he waited until they nodded, confirming that Mickey told them. "We went into the water and when we came back up Noah was there.""That motherfucker!" Iggy hissed, balling his fists up. "Where is Mickey? His boat is at the marina."Ian nodded, relaxing enough to lower the knife but not release it. "They were on his boat, searching for me. They punctured his tanks and dumped an entire bucket of blood on him and took his boat."The look on their faces was comforting enough to let his shoulders relax. Their looks of worry changed to anger, murderous looks, just like what boiled inside him. Ian knew nothing of these humans, only that he knew he could trust them.Before he could continue, Ian felt the water shift dramatically behind him. He turned, seeing the oncoming shark in the corner of his eyes. He felt the humans back up, like it could possibly get to them. Obviously it couldn’t. Ian was still bleeding heavily in the water, that’s why it was there. Just as the shark breached the water, ready to attack, Ian turned, knife in hand and slashed quickly across his nose. The shark darted to the left, sinking back under the water. Ian was sure he wouldn’t be back.With that taken care of, he turned to see more shock, udder disbelief. He didn’t comment because it didn’t matter. He had a problem and handled it. It was time to get back to Mickey."I managed to get him inside a cave before the swarm of sharks took over but it's too far for him to swim back here and this is the closest island." Ian continued to explain, feeling his voice shake a little as he retold what happened, making his anxiousness sky rocket. "I need your help. We need to get him out.""If you can lead us there, we can get him out." Iggy stepped up, bending a little to see eye to eye with him. "Is he hurt?"Ian shook his head. "No, not that I saw. But the darker it gets the more the danger, so we need to go.""If Mick's boat is at the marina, we can take it back to get him. Can you meet us there?" Knox asked, the anger boiling right under his skin so his voice was a little deeper than normal. "I swear to god I'm going to kill that fucking prick.""I'll call Mandy on the way, she can tell us where Noah's boat is so we can take care of it when we get back." Quinn took his phone out and walked away."Yes." Ian spoke up, getting their attention again. "I can take you back and meet you at the marina. But he needs another tank to bring him up. It's way too far for me to try again, especially with all the shark activity."Iggy nodded. "We can get one. How deep is it?""About eighty-five feet down," Ian watched blue eyes widen and he realized that this was Mickey's brother, whose name he couldn't remember at the moment. "Just get it and meet me at the marina, okay?"They nodded and turned to leave."Wait." Ian called out, moving closer so they didn't have to backtrack. "Do you have any guns?"Iggy's eyes widened again. "Not at the moment but we do have access. Why?""Because Noah does, his men too and they made that perfectly clear when they shot at us in the water." Ian was growling. He only noticed because the humans backed up, looking a little worried. Maybe afraid of him. "If you have them, bring them. I'll be waiting."With that, Ian dove back into the water and made his way back around to the marina. It didn't take as long as it did before because that fatigue he felt was replaced with new energy, adrenaline. The need to get Mickey out and safe, to get back at Noah.Hurting humans was not high on his list of life choices. Ian only wanted to avoid them as much as possible and go about his business. Until Mickey. He wanted everything to do with that specific human and now he wanted to hurt the ones who did this, who hurt him and trapped Mickey. Ian wanted them to feel afraid, to worry about their lives and their loved ones. He wanted them hopeless and frantic, scared. He wanted to hurt them and he hated that feeling.It wasn't who he was, or it was the one thing he never wanted to be. He didn't want to be as cruel as humans could be, heartless and unforgiving but they tried to hurt Mickey and that changed everything for him. It had dark thoughts crossing his mind, ones that would haunt him after.When he made it back to the marina, it was hard to focus on anything aside from revenge. But one look at Mickey's boat brought back all the images and memories of them and each other and how he felt when they touched. It chased back the dark thoughts, making him feel a little sick for thinking them in the first place. He felt guilty and afraid, he felt alone.At the sound of Mickey's humans talking in the distance, Ian felt himself relax just long enough for a net to be tossed over his entire body. Panic built up fast, making him cling to the outside of the boat, trying to look around, trying to get out."I knew I'd find you."Noah. Not Mickey's humans like he thought, but Noah. Ian glanced up, the net sliding painfully across his face and saw Noah on the boat above him, he'd been hiding there. Waiting for him."I hope this means Mickey didn't make it." Noah smiled, tightening the net.Ian clenched his teeth at the man sneering down at him. He sat still, no longer trying to get away because he needed Noah's guard down if he was going to get out of this. He couldn't rely on Mickey's humans, because for all he knew, they set him up. Told Noah he would be coming back, allowing him to be captured. If that was the case, he might never trust another human again."What the fuck are you doing?" Knox barked, stepping onto Mickey's boat.Ian glanced up, barely close enough to the top of the boat to see the human Mickey described as his best friend. He looked angry, not happy, not relishing in his capture. They weren’t against him."I'm capturing my mermaid Knox, just like I said I would." Noah smiled, his gun strapped to his hip. "Surprised to see you.""Tell us what you did with Mickey, right now." Knox clenched the gun already in his hand, aiming it low on Noah's body. "I will shoot you, don't think I won't."Ian took a deep breath, he wasn't as alone as he thought. Mickey's humans weren't after him, but helping him. Now he needed to get himself out of this all the same, even if it was just to prove to all the humans around that he could, to prove that he wasn't helpless."I have no idea where Mickey is, Knox," Noah smirked, hand up as his foot kept the net from releasing."Let him go." Iggy stepped up, eyes on the net. "Right now."Noah shook his head. "Or what?"Ian was able to wiggle his arm through one of the many holes in the net and transferred the knife through until he was holding it tightly. He moved quickly, using his other hand to pull himself up just as he sliced the back of Noah's thigh with the knife, making him fall to grab it as it bled, putting Noah right next to him."Ian don't." Iggy warned as he stepped forward, eyes a little wide.Ian had his arm around Noah's neck as he dangled from the net above the water. Mickey's knife was pressed against the soft skin of Noah's throat, and all it would take to end this, to put a stop to all his fear, would be one quick movement."He deserves it." Ian growled, satisfied that Noah was panting, worried and afraid, like Mickey was. He tightened his grip, glancing from Mickey's humans to Noah. "He tried to kill him."Iggy nodded, stepping forward slowly with his hands up so Ian could see them. "I get that, Ian, but you can't just kill him.""Why not?" He barked, making Noah whimper as he continued to bleed out. "He kills my kind, my friends and family. Stabbed me, put a tracker on me, shot at Mickey!" He screamed that last part, making everyone jump. "Why does he get to do all that and I don't?"Knox took a step closer as Iggy did, bending to talk to him. "Because he is a monster, Ian, and you're not. As much as you want to, you'd regret it after."That much was true, Ian could already feel it. His actions made him sick, threatening humans of any kind didn't sit well, even if they deserved it. But Mickey needed him to be strong, he needed him to be okay and Noah was only a problem that would keep coming back if they didn't handle him now."He practically fed him to the sharks without knowing I was there." Ian said as bluntly as possible, making sure they understood. "Had I not been there, Mickey would have died."Iggy and Knox didn't speak, Noah didn't move and Ian just watched them all take in the gravity of the situation. The truth. That Noah planned to kill Mickey today."The only reason he isn't dead is because we have to get back to Mickey." Ian hissed shoving Noah forward for them to catch, handling him roughly as he gimped on one leg. "But if I get back and anything has happened to him...anything, I will kill him." Ian warned, his voice deep like he'd never heard it before."If anything happened to him, you can count on us helping you." Iggy jerked Noah around and tossed him on the pier to where Quinn was standing.Ian nodded, taking a deep breath as he sank back into the water, watching as the net sank to the bottom, then as the blood was washed away from the knife in his hands. The water was calm, quiet, allowing him to let all that anger leave until it was the right time to feel it.When he came back up, there were other humans on the pier, talking to Mickey's humans, to Noah. It looked like they were fixing up his leg, and trying to figure out what happened. But he didn't care if Noah got patched up or what the other humans had to say, they needed to go get Mickey.Ian gripped the top of the boat, splashing his tail a little to get their attention, but it wasn't working. They were in a heated argument, fighting and pointing, glaring at Noah and Ian didn't want the others to see him."Stupid humans." Ian huffed, waving a little but no one looked his way. He still couldn't remember Mickey's kind name, Izzy maybe or something with an I, so he couldn't call it out. "Shit."Making as little noise as possible, Ian went back into the water, all the way to the bottom to grab a handful of rocks before coming back up. He took one and threw it over, it landed without a sound, making him groan. So he threw another one, a bigger one and it hit Mickey's cousin? Brother? He didn’t know, right on the side of his face.Ian stifled a laugh as he turned, blue eyes searching. He waved a little before sucking down, hiding from the others until he walked over, bending down to him again."We need to leave. Now." Ian turned to see the sun setting quickly, darkness would just complicate all of it. "Get them to leave and we need to go."The human never even blinked. Blue eyes just stared at him, his mouth open a little. It happened again, the human decided to give in and follow that feeling instead of fighting it as Mickey had. Ian closed his eyes for a split second before the human was falling off the boat and into the water.There was no time to move, he fell right on top of him and Ian reached out, catching him just before his face went under. "Stupid human!" Ian yelled, shaking him a little. He could hear boots coming closer before the others rushed over."What happened?" Knox asked, laughing a little.Ian shook him again, watching blue eyes slowly coming back to himself before the confusion hit and he was being pushed away. "Calm down."Iggy swam back, eyes wide. "You calm down! Why the fuck am I in the water?"Knox laughed, holding his stomach. "Did you seriously just walk off the boat?"Ian smiled. "He did, actually, it's a long story but there is a reason." What he said made no difference as Iggy kept glaring at him. "It happened to Mickey too but he was able to fight it, unlike you."Iggy pushed an armful of water towards him. "Keep all that spooky mermaid shit to yourself. The last thing I need is to be walkin off boats.""Well if humans were stronger it wouldn't happen." Ian snapped back, pushing him back a little when a wave brought him closer. "Now get out and let's go. We wasted enough time already."Iggy slapped his hands away, making Knox laugh above them. "Shut up and get me outta here.""Wait until I tell Mickey you were slapping his mermaid, Iggy." Knox busted out laughing, dropping Iggy back into the water because of it. "Fuck me, that sounds so fucking wrong."Ian laughed. He actually laughed because Iggy, Mickey's kin, just glared at them all and slapped their hands away as he pulled himself up the side without help. Maybe these humans weren't so bad after all."You guys are a bunch of assholes." Iggy shook off the water as he stomped away. "Hurry and bring the anchor up so we can go."The big one; Knox, if Ian remembered it right, stayed where he was, smiling a little at him. Ian tilted his head, trying to figure it out when he spoke."So, you're Mickey's mermaid, huh?"Ian smiled proudly, happy to be Mickey's. "I am, and my name is Ian. You three must be his humans."Knox laughed. "Yes we are. I'm Knox, that asshole in the water was Iggy of course and Quinn is the big guy behind me. You ready to go get Mickey now?"The smile slipped into something a little darker, losing the light conversation, but Ian nodded. "I'll swim ahead so keep a lookout for me. It's about an hour away."Knox stood, nodding. "As long as I can see you we can keep up."No other words were needed. Ian kept the knife in his hand and swam under the other boats until he was clear and waited for Knox to follow. He did, quickly and smoothly. Ian didn't have to slow down either, he swam as fast as he could along the top of the water so they could see him.The entire time, he couldn't believe he was trusting humans, of any kind. He was leading them to Mickey, to his cave where he went to get away from people. He trusted them with this, with Mickey. He trusted them enough to talk to them and ask for help, to not capture him.Not to mention they tried to help him with Noah, even when it wasn't needed. They were willing to face off against another human for him; a mermaid. That was something he never expected from anyone aside from Mickey. It didn't change his mind about humans in general, but it allowed him to be more open if the time came for such things.By the time Ian slowed as they neared the entrance blow, the sun had fully set, leaving them shrouded in darkness until the boat floated up, lights shining brightly. He was exhausted."Is this it?" Iggy asked, looking around at nothing."Yes, the cave is directly below us about eighty-five feet down." Ian could feel the unease under him, meaning the area was still unsafe. Sharks liked to feed at night and they were the only thing big enough for miles. "Pass me what he needs and I'll go get him."Iggy shook his head. "No, one stays here with the boat and the rest go.""No," Ian said firmly, holding on to the edge of the boat as the harsh waves rocked against his body. "I'm faster than you, I can see in the dark and I know exactly where it is. Anything else is just wasting time.""There is no way you're going alone." Iggy argued back, sliding the tank to the edge of the boat. "One of us is coming, too."When Ian growled, all three of them took a step back, just as he wanted them to. "Do you know nothing of what comes out after dark to hunt?" He asked and pointed to the fin of a passing shark right next to him. He didn’t flinch. "Sharks hunt better at night, they are faster and meaner and after that blood in the water today…" He paused, seeing all eyes widen. "Just trust me when I say you don't want me to count how many I see below me."Knox was the first to get his shit together and grabbed the tank from Iggy, noting how he didn't fight him this time. "Can you make sure he'll get up here safely?"Ian shook his head, knowing that the blood from his wounds were already stirring up the sharks below. "I don't make promises I can't keep. But I will do everything to bring him back."Knox nodded and slid the tank into the water with the mask and mouthpiece connected to it. "With you bleeding like that, they are gonna follow you."Ian nodded as he put the strap around his shoulders so it settled on his back. "I'll be quicker going down because I'll be alone. But he will be coming up without me."Iggy shook his head. "You can't just leave him.""If I swim away, blood and all, the majority of the sharks will follow me." Ian explained calmly, trying not to snap at them again for delaying him. "He can make a break for the top while I distract them.""It's a good plan, Iggy." Quinn spoke up, making sure to turn the lights under the boat on so Mickey would have something to swim to. "You know it is.""Doesn't mean I have to like it." Iggy snapped back, rubbing over his face. "Fine, do what you need to do but just a heads up, Mick is gonna have the same problem with this as I did."Ian knew Mickey would have an issue with it, he didn't need someone else telling him. But he also knew that Mickey would understand the choice and trust him to come back. Just like when Mickey told him to go, knowing he would be back with help. Mickey would see that this was the safest way for him.A shark nosing at his arm pulled Ian out of his mind for the moment. He pushed the shark away, barely noticing Knox laughing and glanced up at Iggy. "Trust me, my human will accept that this is the best way."Iggy rolled his eyes. "He was our human first.""Yeah, and now he's mine." Ian smiled and left them to go get his human, his Mickey.**(Mickey's POV) You know that feeling when you're deep underwater and you can see the surface above you, and the breath is leaving your lungs and no matter how hard you try, it takes forever to reach the top?That's what Mickey felt like when Ian left. It felt like he was drowning, the surface only inches above him and yet he couldn't reach it. It was panic, it was fear. It felt like the entire weight of the ocean was on his chest and the only thing he could do was sit there and let it happen.But it wasn't real. Mickey wasn't drowning, he wasn't dying. From drowning or otherwise. But the wait was killing him. Ian being alone was making him nervous, anxious. What if the sharks had been too aggressive? What if Ian got tangled in a net? What if Noah captured him before he could tell anyone?His own mind was killing him and there wasn't much he could do to distract himself. Mickey paced until his feet hurt, he peeled off his wetsuit when it became too itchy, too confining. He even held his breath and swam to the mouth of the cave, coughing water from his lungs before he made it back to the top, just to see if he could see anything.Sleeping didn't work, he couldn't relax enough. So he sat against the other wall of the cave, dug his feet into the sand and waited. It took him longer than he cared to admit, but he noticed the pile of pearls close to the wall, then the pile of shells, a few coins that looked as if they'd been underwater for decades.Ian's treasures.The thought made him smile. It made him remember when Ian gave him his pearl and that little pink shell. And Ian's face when he gave him that one coin, green eyes sparkled like emeralds and Ian acted as if it was the best thing in the world.Ian was the best thing in the world.Better than pearls and shells, better than all the lost treasures in the sea.The sad part was, that this cave, Ian's hide out was gone. They could no longer come back. It wasn't safe now that Noah knew where they'd been, even if he never found the cave. Risking it was too dangerous.Once again, humans ruined something for mermaids. Something for Ian specifically. Mickey ruined it. By going there, by being followed or found. He ruined Ian’s home, maybe the only place that felt like home for him. Was gone.Without a second thought, Mickey scooped up all of Ian's treasures and put them into the zipper pockets of his shorts. That way Ian would have them, maybe it would make him feel more comfortable when he found a new spot. It wouldn't hurt, and Mickey didn't like the idea of Noah getting his hands on anything Ian valued."Please be okay." Mickey whispered to himself, or to whoever might be listening.He stood up, choosing to pace again rather than just sit there. His toes barely grazed the shore when he noticed the water shifting. Mickey backed up quickly, not knowing if it could be sharks, or Noah or Ian.When red hair came into view, Mickey let out the biggest sigh of relief, feeling his heart pound and his eyes water. Ian was okay. Ian was alive, he was back. Ian came for him.Mickey didn't even wait for Ian to set the tank down on the sand before he jumped forward, only inches away from Ian's body. Strong arms caught him, lowering him into the water, against his body."You're here." Mickey's voice trembled as their heads rested together. His hands gripped Ian's face, shaky and uncertain as he thumbed over his jaw. "You're okay."Ian smiled, his arms wrapped tightly around Mickey's body, holding him as close as possible. "I'm okay, are you?"Mickey nodded, finally taking that deep breath he needed since Ian left. "I'm better now."Ian swam forward, closer to the sand and eyed Mickey's lips hungrily. "Much better."Mickey pulled him into a deep, demanding, all consuming kiss. A 'we are about to die' kiss, a 'it's been years' kiss. One that he felt deep into his bones, one that touched his heart. And he didn't let up, he gripped Ian's face, angling it as he swirled his tongue against his, eager for more.It wasn't until his back was being pressed against the sand that he realized Ian backed them out of the water, making him lay down so he could crawl between his legs. Mickey groaned when Ian rubbed between his legs, forcing him to deepen the kiss."Ian." Mickey moaned between kisses and he finally let his legs wrap around Ian's hips, hugging him flush against his body. "Ian." He whispered again, unsure of what to say after all they'd been through, but of course Ian already knew."I know, Mickey." Ian rubbed their noses together, brushing dark hair back to see his face clearly. "It's okay, I've got you."Mickey nodded, shaking below him. Maybe it was fear or need or something he couldn't put a name to. But he needed it. His hands moved down Ian's neck, then his chest until he could feel how fast his heart was beating. Then lower to his stomach, over the smooth curve of his sides until the tips of his fingers pressed into Ian's lower back, making Ian groan harshly against his mouth."Mickey, please." Ian begged, rocking forward a little until the front of his tail pushed into Mickey's groin, sending flashes of heat down his body. "I was afraid I would be too late.""I know." Mickey fell back to the sand as a hard push forced him to lay back, but kept putting pressure on Ian's back. "I thought something happened to you."Their worry and affection for each other was evenly matched. And even though they used the words to express it, they didn't need to. They could both feel the others worry. It was in their eyes as they stared at each other, it was in the way their bodies trembled, the way they moved together like it might never again."I need you, Mickey." Ian moaned against his mouth, fisting both sides of his hair as his arms framed Mickey's face. "Please.""I need you, too." Mickey moaned, adding more pressure to his back, digging his nails in until Ian hissed. "I don't want you to leave again, I don't like it."The faster movement had Ian growling, feeling Mickey tremble because of it as he pushed against his cock, hard and trapped between them. "I'm never leaving without you again, Mickey. I promise.""Fuck, right there." Mickey gasped, looking between them to watch the roll of Ian's body, to feel the sharp scales scrape his thighs. "Want you to come with me, please.""You got me close." Ian shut his eyes, feeling that wave of heat soak into his tail, up his spine. "Just a little harder."Mickey kept gasping sharply, literally on the edge as he dug his nails into Ian's skin, feeling the way he moved faster and harder because of it. "Gotta come for me Ian, please." He begged, bending a little to talk against his lips. "I can't stop.""You don't have to." Ian growled. "Oh, God….now, right now!!"Mickey waited until Ian's body started to shake before he gave into the crushing weight of his orgasm. Letting it blow over him, making his body tremble and buck, arching up for those lingering touches. "Fuck." He whispered and pulled Ian the rest of the way to kiss him.Ian groaned into his mouth, gripping his hair tightly and rolled to the side until Mickey was on top of him. Ian released his hair to grip his body, feeling every muscle tense and move, he swallowed every gasp until they broke apart for air."This is new." Mickey chuckled a little as he sat back, fully seated on Ian's lap. But his smile slipped the moment he got a good look at Ian's chest, the scrapes and cuts that extended past his chest to his arms, his hands looked like someone stuffed them through a meat grinder. "Jesus Christ, what happened?""Sharks are rather aggressive during a feeding frenzy." Ian sat still and let Mickey look at him. "It's not as bad as it looks.""The fuck it's not." Mickey countered back, eyes up to realize that Ian's lip was split and he had several cuts across his face. "Shit, I'm sorry, Ian. I should have looked first." He made a move to get off of him but Ian sat up and held those strong arms around him."Don't move, please? I rather like you this way." Ian rubbed his back, leaning forward enough to kiss across Mickey's chest. "And I'm fine. I promise. It doesn't even hurt."Mickey knew he wasn't lying, he never did, even when it would have been easier. Just as he chose not to lie to Ian in return. What they had was special, there was no room for lies. If Ian said he was fine, he was."There are so many." Mickey tilted Ian's face to examine a few and relaxed as he saw mostly surface wounds, small scrapes that barely broke the skin. "But they don't look very deep."Ian smiled, laying back again, letting his hands settle on Mickey's thighs. "They aren't, just scrapes. Most of them just rubbed against me the wrong way, makes their skin sharp.""Nothing else happened, right?" Mickey asked, watching a million emotions flow across Ian's face including fear and anger. "Ian?""A lot happened while I was gone and I will tell you. But your humans are waiting for us and I fear they may get into the water if we take too long.""They would." Mickey huffed, irritated that they had to wait to talk about whatever made Ian angry. "Sharks gone then?""No," Ian sat up, once again wrapping Mickey up in his arms. "It's dark now so it's worse than before, and I have a plan to get you safely to the boat. But you won't like it."Mickey narrowed his eyes, that entire speech was ominous. "Why won't I like it?""I'll tell you, but you must promise me you will agree. Right now, before I tell you." Ian held him tightly and rolled them back over until Mickey was in the sand. "It's the only way.""I don't like this, Ian." Mickey gripped the back of his neck and pulled him to his mouth. Something was wrong. "Just tell me.""Promise me, Mickey." Ian urged, stroking the frowns on his forehead. "I know how this works out here, better than you even, so I need you to trust me. This will be the only way we get out of this alive. The both of us."Something was very wrong for Ian to make him promise before he even told him. It had to be dangerous and something he would never do. But Ian didn't seem in a hurry to go until he promised. Like he’d wait forever until he agreed. There wasn’t much of a choice."Fine, I promise." He huffed playful at Ian's smile. "Now tell me cuz I'm already not liking this."Ian sighed deeply, soothing both of them by running his fingers into Mickey's hair. "The boat is right above us, but the sharks have doubled since we were out there.""Fuck." Mickey closed his eyes as he vividly remembered the swarm of hungry sharks."I'm going out first, to lead the sharks away." He paused at Mickey's wide-eyed look. "That will give you a chance to make for the boat."Mickey sat up on his elbows, bringing their faces very close together. "What about you? How are you gonna make it back to the boat?""I can swim faster than the sharks, as I've demonstrated already, so I will lead them away and circle back to join you." Ian pushed their heads together, bringing them as close as possible."No fucking way, Ian." Mickey sat all the way up, forcing Ian to move down, off of him. "There is no way in hell I'm letting you do that. It's too dangerous."Ian shook his head. "What's dangerous is both of us going and risking both of your lives. The sharks won't be able to catch me and it makes a gap for you to swim.""You have to be exhausted, Ian, from all that shit you already did. Now double the damn sharks and do it again?" He shook his head, holding his hand out for Ian to link their fingers. "That's dangerous."Ian gripped his chin, making sure to keep eye contact. "It is the only way and you promised me, Mickey." He softened his voice by leaning forward to kiss his cheek, then his nose. "Just trust me, please. Let me get us out of this together.”Mickey closed his eyes, trying to block out one of the millions of scenarios that could happen. But he did promise, he did trust Ian with all he had, all he was. And if Ian thought this was the best way, even when he didn't, then he would do it. It was about trust."If you don't join me at the boat within five minutes of me getting there, then I'm going back in." Mickey argued, seeing Ian's eyes widen. When he tried to argue, Mickey kissed him to shut him up. "No, I will do as you ask, even if I fuckin hate it, but I will get back in if I don't see you. And you know I will.”"Why do you humans have to be so stubborn?" Ian growled but rubbed their noses together in that sweet way that had his heart pounding. They only had these choices. Nothing else.Mickey smiled, cupping his face. "I can't speak for other humans but you know damn well why I don't like it."Ian nodded. "You should tell me anyways.""Because I care about you Ian, so fucking much and it's freaking me out to let you go alone again." He paused as his heartbeat got out of control and a sigh from Ian let him know he heard it. "I don't want to lose you, Ian."Ian kissed him before he replied, letting the kiss last long enough for Mickey's breath to hitch. "You just found me, Mickey, there's no way you can lose me." He brushed away a silent tear that had fallen during that kiss. "I will meet you back at the boat as soon as I can. I promise.”Mickey nodded and let Ian move away to grab the tank. "Let's make this quick before I change my mind."Ian smiled and helped Mickey put the tank on. "You won't change your mind. I won't let you."Once the goggles were situated, Mickey slid into the water and Ian's arms pulled him close. "I'm going down at the same time, that way it'll be quicker. And if I see anything concerning…"Ian stopped him with a kiss. "No ifs, Mickey. It'll be fine, I promise. Come on," he held his hand out, linking their fingers while the knife moved to his other hand. "We can do it."With one last kiss and linked hands, they both went under the dark water. They waited until the lights on Mickey's goggles lit up before making the slow descent down to the mouth of the cave.Unlike in the daytime, the water seemed colder, more dangerous. You couldn't see a foot in front of you and predators surrounded you from all sides. No where was safe except on top of the water and they had about eighty feet of dark, open water to get through first.The opening looked about the same, scary in its own way but add the darkness off the water and the alarming number of sharks on the other side and it felt like a nightmare. Mickey squeezed Ian's hand as they stopped in front of it. Ian smiled at him, not looking nearly as worried as Mickey felt.When Ian pulled him close, abandoning their hand holding to hold him with both arms, Mickey melted into it. Resting his head on Ian's shoulder as he rubbed up and down the gems on Ian's back. It wasn't a goodbye, it was more like be careful, stay safe and I'm worried.
When they pulled back, Mickey had never been more afraid. Not even when Ian left him that first time. Not even when Ian had been gone for three days. Watching him square his shoulders and adjust the knife in his hands, was hands down the scariest thing he'd ever seen.Ian flashed him a quick smile before he darted out, pushing past dozens of sharks to get a little ways away from the cave. Mickey moved closer to the opening, eyes wide when half the sharks moved away to circle Ian.When Ian slashed a cut into the top of his arm with the knife, Mickey about abandoned the safety of the cave. The blood trickled into the water, alerting the other sharks to join the ones already near him. Mickey could see them ready to hunt and kill. He could see it in the jerky movements as they swam around him, the little nips they took at each other and the closer they got to Ian.And then he was gone, taking off like a torpedo, swimming through the water as fast as possible, leaving that blood trail for the sharks to follow. And they did follow, all of them. Leaving the opening to the cave and the surrounding water as empty as it had been a few hours ago.Mickey waited until the last shark swam after the others before he wiggled passed the entrance of the cave and swam as hard as fast as he could. For a while, there was nothing but dark water. The glow of his mask didn't even let him know which way was up, or what might be lurking in the dark. He could have been swimming down for all he knew, or further from the cave and there would be no way to tell until it was too late.So, he swam hard in whichever direction he could. Unable to help but look around, looking for signs of Ian or any sharks around but it was too dark. The bubbles around his face were obscuring his mask because he was breathing so harshly. He was panicking. He was alone, Ian was in danger, Noah could be lurking out there like the sharks, waiting to hurt him again.Bright lights from above halted that panic long enough for him to focus. The lights were from the bottom of his boat and he had been swimming in the right direction. A little relief washed over him as he swam towards it, getting closer and closer until he breached the surface."Mick!!" Iggy yelled, waving his arms.Mickey waved back as he tossed the mask aside and swam the short distance to his boat. By the time he reached the side, some of the sharks had returned, slowly swimming just below the surface so he could see their fins."Let's getcha outta there." Knox bent down with Quinn on the other side and each grabbed one of Mickey's arms to haul him up.Mickey was exhausted, mind and body and soul. It would be simple to roll over and kick the tank off and sleep, to curl up and get warm and sleep until his body was back to normal. But there was one thing more than he wanted aside from sleep, more than every other basic need screaming at him.He needed Ian.Mickey shrugged off the help of his crew, let the heavy tank fall to the deck and grabbed the big light, shining it onto the water. "If he's not here in five minutes, we go in."Iggy looked at Knox who had a sad look on his face. "Mickey, you know we can't do that. Look at all of them." He pointed to at least four different fins above the water. "I'm sure there are more along the way."Mickey glared at him before returning his eyes back to the water. "Stay the fuck here then, I'll go in myself and get him."Quinn moved up beside Mickey, putting his hand on the light. "I'll work the light, you check the water."Mickey smiled, squeezed his shoulder gratefully and moved to walk around the boat. The water was rather still, calming even with the sharks swimming below. And at night, Ian was harder to see. He had to strain his eyes for them to look deep enough."Mick…" Iggy tried again."Fuck you, Iggy," Mickey shoved him, making him take a step back. "You don't wanna help me look then go somewhere else because we are not leaving until he is with us.""Iggy, come on man." Knox shook his head, looking on the other side of the boat. "Without Ian we never would have found him. We can't just leave.""We won't leave." Mickey hissed at Iggy before he started checking the other side. "I told him five minutes and that was ten minutes ago."Knox and Quinn seemed to agree with him, Iggy not so much and Mickey knew he cared about what happened to Ian but Iggy knew he was serious about getting into the water. And that's what scared him."Shit," Mickey gasped, feeling that panic well up in his chest. "Where the fuck are you!!?" He screamed out at the water and when he got nothing in return, tears prickled the corners of his eyes and his body began to shake."Where are you, Ian?”
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The Devil's TriangleChapter 10- Fate "I have to get in." Mickey spoke as he paced, unable to sit still even if it was only for a minute. The panic was frowning stronger by every minute that passed. Ian could be dead, trapped or hurt. "There's no other choice."Ian hadn't come back and nearly twenty minutes had passed. Mickey allowed his crew to delay him getting back into the water. He let them come up with scenarios that had Ian alive and well but pretty far off, making the trip back seem longer. They even said Ian was trying to wait it out until the sharks cleared.The effort was appreciated but Mickey knew those words were just that; words. Kind words, but words all the same and it wasn't enough to make him stay. There was no proof, just kind words that tasted of lies."Mickey, look in the water." Iggy waved his hand towards the shark infested water. "I'm counting at least six different fins. You can't get in.""I have to." Mickey whispered it this time, unable to talk over a whisper from the lump in his throat. Ian came for him without fear or hesitation. Mickey would do the same. And more. "Ian needs me."The tears that pooled in his eyes refused to stay put this time and Mickey didn't bother trying to hide it. He was afraid, he was panicking and the person he loved hadn't come back as he promised. Mickey was entitled to cry, to feel afraid without judgement."Ian needs me, Iggy." Mickey turned, eyes wet with tears as he basically begged his brother to understand. He didn’t care if they saw him cry, or for them to see how much he cared. He only cared about getting Ian back alive. "Please help me."Iggy felt the moisture in his own eyes and nodded, finally accepting that he had to help, or Mickey would go anyway. "Okay Mick, but we do it my way."Without even knowing the terms and conditions of Iggy's way, Mickey nodded gratefully. And as much as he wanted to reach out and hug him; something they didn't do very often, he didn't. He just moved over to him and offered Iggy his hand, thankful when Iggy clasped it with his own and squeezed hard."You aren't getting in until the sharks are gone." Iggy shook his head when Mickey tried to argue. "We have about half a bucket of chum below that we didn't dump yet.""Yeah, so?" Knox asked, knowing Mickey wouldn't."We drive away from the cave, dump the chum so the sharks leave this area." Iggy managed a small smile when Mickey tipped his head to him; respect. "We drive back here and get in, two of us.""I'm going." Mickey spoke up, even when it was clear he would be one of the two."Agreed, I'm coming too. Gonna need some muscle to get him up here if…" he didn't finish the sentence as another tear rolled silently down Mickey's cheek. He glanced at Knox and Quinn; the muscle and received nods in agreement."I'll get the chum, Knox, you grab that harpoon gun." Quinn pointed to a narrow cabinet behind him as he moved to the stairs.Mickey just stood there, tears steadily leaking down his cheeks, silent as if he might disturb the quietness around them. Everyone moved but him, and he knew what it was fear paralyzing him, making it physically impossible to move."Mick, you with me?" Iggy asked, squeezing his shoulder.Mickey nodded, not glancing away from the water. "I'm here, Igg, I just can't…" He shook his head and by the tight grip on his shoulder, Iggy understood. "I don't know if I can do this."Iggy narrowed his eyes. "You don't know if you can do what? Get in the water? Because I'm sure Knox or Quinn can come with me."Mickey looked at him, finally glancing away from the water. "I don't know if I can be without him."That's when Iggy pulled him into a hug, wrapping both arms around him and Mickey didn't fight it. He rested his head on Iggy's shoulder, but didn't hug him back or move his arms. He just let his family, his friend, hug him, to comfort him when he needed it and he never needed it more than he did now."Iggy?" Knox asked softly, harpoon gun in hand as he approached them carefully.Iggy just glanced over, not pulling away and was a little surprised that Mickey didn't either. "Start the boat, Knox, get us about twenty feet away."Knox nodded and turned away as Quinn came up from below, chum in hand. "Leave 'em be, just get ready to go in the water if Mickey can't.""He's gonna be fine, Mick." Iggy kept his voice low so only Mickey could hear him. "Ian can be a dangerous son of a bitch when he needs to be."Mickey pulled away and Iggy let him. "I can't imagine Ian being dangerous on purpose." He wiped his eyes, trying to regain some sort of control so he could focus. "I don't think he can imagine it either."Iggy nodded and handed the harpoon gun to Mickey, bracing his feet as the boat slowly moved away. "I guess he didn't tell you that he almost killed Noah."Mickey took his eyes off the water and looked at Iggy like he'd never seen him before. "What are you talking about?""When Ian was meeting us at the boat to come find you, Noah was waiting." Iggy smiled just remembering the surprised look on Noah's face. "He trapped Ian in a net."Mickey growled. "I'm gonna fucking kill him.""Noah made the mistake of thinking Ian was helpless, didn't give him the caution he deserved. Ian sliced his leg, making him drop so he could put that blade to his neck."Mickey's eyes nearly popped out of his head, he was so shocked he couldn't speak. But the look on Iggy's face was one of respect. He could forget sometimes that Ian was a dangerous creature."Ian told us Noah didn't realize he was there and if he hadn't been, you'd have died." Iggy felt the boat stop, letting him know it was game time. "If we hadn't been there to talk him out of it, Ian would have killed him."Mickey had no idea what to say or what to think. When he gave Ian his knife, telling him to use it on sharks or whoever got in his way, he didn't think it would be Noah. And there was no way in hell that Mickey could see Ian hurting anyone, not even when his life depended on it.Ian was gentle and soft, he just wanted to be loved and left alone. He wanted to exist without fear or danger, he wanted to swim and collect shells and coins and bathe in the sun without worry about being captured. He was good.His Ian would never hurt someone, or want to kill them. Would he?"I don't want him to have to do that." Mickey gripped the gun tightly, knowing that if it came down to who killed Noah, he would make damn sure it wasn't Ian. "I never wanted that.""I know, but we do crazy shit to protect the people we care about, Mickey. Sometimes there is no choice, only the willingness to get it done.""Ready?" Quinn asked, holding the bucket over the water.Mickey glanced at him, jaw set in a firm line. "Do it." Quinn dumped the entire bucket into the water and Mickey could picture the swarm from earlier as they moved under the water. "It's working. I can feel it.""Drive back, Knox, hurry because it won't take em long to eat all that shit." Iggy moved to grab the waterproof flashlight as Knox drove them back around. "Shit."Mickey ran to the side, looking into the water to see that only half the sharks fell for their little trick, the rest remained around them, stalking the water. "I only count three and that don't look that big." He moved to the opening of the boat where he and Ian communicated all those months ago. "I'm going."Iggy nodded, catching the fisherman's knife Quinn tossed into the air. "If we're going, let's go."Mickey stared into the water, seeing a glimpse of something below the sharks, something fast with a six foot tail. Ian. Mickey smiled, bringing more tears to his eyes and stopped Iggy from getting in with a hand on his chest."What?"Mickey chuckled, pointing into the water to show him. "It's Ian."Iggy's eyes widened. "No fucking way."Before he had a chance to to say yes fuckin way, Ian popped out of the water a few feet away from them, flushed and out of breath, looking exhausted."Their gaining on me." Ian panted, watching the sharks coming after him. "Move."Mickey didn't understand, nor did he have time to try or to question it. Ian was gone, ducking back into the water and let the sharks follow. "He said move." He glanced at Iggy who took a few steps back. "Good idea."Two steps wasn't enough and Mickey wasn't prepared to see Ian leaping from the water, sailing into the air like a bird, heading right for the boat. Mickey opened his arms wide, dropping the harpoon gun, just as Ian slammed into him, knocking the air from his lungs as they plummeted to the deck."Holy shit!" Iggy yelled, eyes wide.Mickey held Ian to his body as tightly as he could, feeling him tremble and squeeze him back just as hard. He was out of breath, in pain from the hard hit he took but none of it mattered because Ian was there."Mickey." Ian wheezed, out of breath, shaking so hard he couldn't speak. But he gripped Mickey's sides and held onto him as he listened to his heart beat under his ear."I got you, Ian." Mickey sobbed, unable to help the wrecked sound of his voice from the tears. He was laying on his back with Ian sprawled on top of him. Mickey held onto him as tightly as possible, to keep him close. "You're okay.""I tried to get back." Ian lifted head, crying as he looked up to see Mickey's tearfilled eyes. "I'm sorry, there were too many of them.""Shhh," Mickey whispered as he pulled Ian up until he could see into scared green eyes, cupping his face. "It's okay, Ian. It's over." He wiped the tears away, pressing their heads together. "You're safe."Ian nodded, holding Mickey by his hair. "I was scared I wouldn't get back to you, worried you might not have made it." He leaned into Mickey's palm, kissing it over and over again.His fear was so real and it was still with him, even when he was safe on the boat. They had come too close to losing each other for nearly tweleve hours straight. One incident after another, leaving them both on edge, worried, too afraid to think and breathe. It crippled them."I knew you'd come back, Ian," Mickey whispered back, seeing Ian's tears fall faster. "I knew you'd come back to me.""How?" Ian asked, sniffling. "One cannot know such things."Mickey smiled at his odd way of saying things. "I knew because…" his smile faded a little as he remembered the others around them. It seemed as if they were alone together, always, even when they weren't.By now, they knew more than they should. They knew how strong his and Ian’s connection was."Because what?" Ian pleaded, eyes searching Mickey's for the answers he needed.Even with his crew watching, clearly surprised at their intimate exchange, Mickey said it. "Because I love you too much to give up.""Oh," Ian's voice cracked, inhibiting him from saying more at the moment. He put one hand against Mickey's chest, feeling his heart pound like a drum. "I love you, too, Mickey." The tears doubled when Mickey smiled as if he already knew. "And I will always come back for you.""Fuck." Mickey's voice mimicked Ian's and cracked, shattering all control he had left. He gripped Ian around the back of his neck, pulling him to his mouth as he lay back against the deck.That kiss was nothing short of a miracle, of magic and love. Mickey could feel it flow inside his body, then into Ian's through the touch of their lips. Their energy mixed, their souls, their love. Call it what you will, but it was there, it was in them. It was a part of them.They kissed as passionately as their positions would allow, with Ian hovering over him, that long beautiful tail tangled with his legs. Ian gripped his face as their tongues swirled together, while Mickey had both arms wrapped around Ian's back, never wanting to lose that feeling."I guess maybe we should go?" Iggy asked quietly, looking from Knox to Quinn. They didn't answer, but stared at them instead. "Yeah, time to go."At the feel of the boat moving, Mickey pulled back from their kiss, smiling and laughing and crying. Ian too, even as he lay back down on his chest, green eyes closed but that smile remained on his face."Yeah," Mickey whispered into the dark sky as he held Ian close, rubbing his fingers up and down his back, his other hand threading into his damp hair. "Time to go home."Home had never mattered that much to him before, not even when he called Miami home. Because home isn't a place, it's not four walls and a roof, it's not how close to the ocean you are. Home is the people around you. For him, home was Mandy and Iggy, Knox and Quinn were his home since the day he met them. And now Ian.Home was family, home was friends. Ian was home.**"Back to the marina?" Knox asked, looking back onto the deck to talk to Mickey.Mickey was leaning against the side of the boat, legs spread in front of him with Ian pressed against his side, asleep. They had a blanket spread over them, keeping them as warm as possible until they reached the house.After all they'd been through, physically and emotionally, Ian couldn't keep himself awake a moment longer. Mickey managed to pull them to the side and tried to keep Ian warm, to make sure he felt safe because he was on the boat, a place where he begged not to be, a place he feared."Drop me and Ian off at the house." Mickey answered back, holding Ian closer when he flinched. "He's gotta stay close to me until he's strong enough to leave by himself. The boat needs to be checked back into the marina.”Without another word, Knox drove them as close to his beach house as possible, killing the engine as it rumbled in the dead of night. Ian was still asleep, cuddled into his side as if he was too afraid to move, even in his sleep."Ian." Mickey whispered into his hair as a hand smoothed it back from his face. "We're here."Ian awoke slowly, exhausted as he tried to lift himself upright. "Here where?" He asked, rubbing over his eyes."Back at my place." Mickey tossed the blanket off of them and stood, his bones popping back into place. His bungalow was still quite a swim away from his boat, but it was the only way back. "Can you swim?"Ian glanced, smiling instantly. "I'm sure the water will lend a helping hand."Mickey knew what that meant. Ian once said that no one controls the water, but the water helps those who need it. Maybe they needed this bad enough to get a little help."You guys stayin here tonight?" Mickey asked, looking at his crew. "I need a full download on what happened since I was gone."Iggy nodded and handed Mickey the gun he had tucked behind his back. "Yeah, better safe than sorry. No telling what Noah will do to retaliate. It won’t be good, I’ll tell you that.”"If he wants to live he will stay as far away as humanly possible." Ian growled this time, his voice deep and angry as he made his way to the side of the boat. "He used up his only life, I won't give him another one."Mickey's heart beat wildly in his chest and by the look Ian gave him, he could either hear it or he felt it. "Dock the boat at the marina and come right back." He looked at his crew. "Tomorrow we are gettin to the bottom of this shit. One way or another.""Watch your ass until we get back, Mickey." Iggy pegged him with a hard stare, daring him to say something, to not be there. "Noah just upped the game and it's gonna get nasty."Mickey nodded and offered Ian his hand, helping him slowly slip off the boat and into the calm water waiting for him. Nothing else needed to be said because they all knew what it meant. Mickey slipped into the water, unable to hide how each muscle protested from overuse and no rest."I'll help you." Ian whispered against his cheek as soon as he could get close enough. "We can make it together."Mickey wrapped his arm around Ian's waist, pulling him closer still. "We've made it this far. To the house should be no problem."Ian moved in for a kiss that instantly turned into something heated, something desperate. "Gonna have to face a lot worse than this.""I believe that's true." Mickey kissed him once more and together they swam side by side away from the boat. He waited until Knox took off before he kept swimming, glancing at Ian beside him who seemed just as tired. "Almost there."Just as he said it, the water moved on its own in a big wave, pushing them quickly to the house. Mickey didn't fight it, even if it felt weird and a little unnatural. Ian sure didn't, he seemed to welcome the help, letting it take them all the way to the deck before the water settled down as if it hadn't been there in the first place."That's odd." Mickey sighed deeply as he gripped the side of the deck and let his head rest against it.Ian smiled, swimming a little further until he was behind Mickey, holding onto him as he held onto the deck, pressing close to his back. "It doesn't happen often, just when it's needed."Mickey let his head move back to rest against Ian's, feeling him breathing hotly into his ear. "It was needed this time." He glanced down, seeing their fingers laced together.Ian kissed his ear, squeezing their fingers tight. "You need some sleep.""I do. And so do you." Mickey nuzzled the side of his face. "So either you're coming in or I'm staying.""You cannot stay in the water like I can and I cannot stay out of it like you can." Ian unlaced their fingers and gripped Mickey by his hips, lifting him onto the deck. "I will stay here."Mickey turned to sit, unable to make the way he shivered from the wind on his wet skin. "I'm not leaving you out here, Ian. For all we know, Noah is watching us, waiting for us to part ways and grab you.”Ian moved up between his thighs until he could wrap his arms around him. "We don't have a choice at the moment." He cupped Mickey's face, running his thumb over the dark circles under his blue eye. "This is the only way.""We have a choice." Mickey argued, not willing to leave Ian alone when it would be so easy for Noah and his crew to come back with something worse than a net.With Ian looking up at him, confused, Mickey got up and moved to the other side of the deck to grab one of those long chairs and tossed it into the water behind Ian."Mickey?" Ian jumped, eyes wide.Mickey jumped back into the water, not letting Ian hold onto him but moving to grab the chair. He pushed it all the way up the deck, just before the actual house, and let it sink to the bottom."What are you doing?" Ian asked, smiling fondly at him."I'm improvising." Mickey smirked and pointed to the chair halfway submerged. "You sit there and don't move."Ian's eyebrows shot up, amused at the authority in Mickey's voice. He swam up to him, backing him against the deck. "And what about you?"Mickey swallowed thickly, trying to will his body to calm down at Ian being so close. "I will be right back and you better be here."Ian hummed a little and moved enough to let Mickey have some room. "I will be here.""Thank you." Mickey gripped his face, kissing him quickly before he hauled himself out of the water and walked wetly inside.It took him less than five minutes to towel off, put on sweats, socks and a long sleeved t-shirt and came back outside. He could see Ian out of the corner of his eye as he moved to the fire pit, starting a fire much bigger than his last one. He needed the warmth."Mickey, you here?" Iggy called coming in the door."Out here!" He called back, turning away from the fire to locate Ian, smiling at him. Moments later, Iggy, Knox and Quinn moved onto the deck. "All good?"Iggy nodded, glancing at Ian in the water. "All good."Mickey relaxed a little and moved the other chairs closer to the fire, then motioned the others to take a seat. They did, looking at him oddly when he chose to sit on the deck and not on a chair."There is another chair, Mickey." Iggy laughed, pointing at it.Mickey nodded but glanced down at Ian who lazily sat in the chair under the water, smiling up at him. "I'm good here." He let his hand drop into the water, squeezing hard when Ian linked them together. "So, I'm thinking we need to leave, make the return trip as soon as we can."Iggy nodded. "I was hoping for more than one day here but after today I'm over it. We haven’t had time to relax since we left Miami.””They were all in agreement, even Ian who nodded at him sleepily. The time to enjoy Bermuda has long since passed, leaving them all ready to get as far away from Noah as possible."He's just going to follow us." Knox spoke up, not wanting to be the bearer of bad news but it was the truth. "Until he gets what he wants, he won't stop.""He isn't getting what he wants." Mickey's voice carried clear across the water. "It's not happening."Ian squeezed Mickey's hand, waiting until he looked down to speak. "He won't get what he wants, but that doesn't mean he won't try.""And aside from killing him," Quinn offered happily but stopped. "No, not even that will work."Mickey glared. "Why not? No more Noah, no more hunt."Iggy shook his head. "He's right, Mickey. Noah didn't just find a mermaid by himself. He's working for people who want them, remember? If he gets killed or tossed in jail, someone else is just gonna pop up."Mickey groaned. Iggy and Quinn were right. "Okay. So what, we take down their company?" He asked, not being serious. "If Noah is gone, they won't be able to track Ian unless they see him again. And they won't.""How?" Ian spoke up, moving out of the chair and up to the deck. "It might not be me or Noah, but it'll still be man against mermaid and we know who wins most of those."Mickey tugged Ian closer until one webbed hand landed on his leg. "We can't change the way the entire world thinks. Not anytime soon anyway." This time no one spoke up because it was the truth. "At least at home we have a better chance. Or with Noah gone, there is an even better chance."This was one of those the world against nature kind of things. It was as hard as trying to keep people from killing off sharks for food or trying to stop ocean pollution. It didn't happen in a day. It wasn't instant and taking out one person responsible, wouldn't make it stop. Killing Noah wouldn't make hunters stop going after mermaids. There would always be someone else."We can't do shit tonight." Mickey let out a deep breath, feeling the energy draining out of him and Ian quickly. Ian's head now rested against his leg, green eyes trying to close. "But we do need to move out. Tomorrow we pack up, get the shit we need to make the Puerto Rico trip, then home."This wasn't instant either. The trip from Bermuda to Puerto Rico took as long as it did to make it from Miami to Bermuda. At least a month, if they were lucky. They would still have to work, be on the lookout for Noah and try to keep Ian safe. It wasn't ideal, but it was their only play for the moment.There were a few moments of silence and Mickey used them to run his hands into Ian's hair, brushing the drying strands out of his eyes. Then rubbing over the width of his shoulders, smiling a little each time Ian relaxed further against him. Sighing deeply. Those green eyes even opened, his perfect lips turned up into a smile.All for him. Because of him."You're tired." Ian whispered, rubbing his face along the soft material of Mickey's clothes."So are you." He said back, seeing Ian nodding sleepily.The eyes on them didn't bother him like he thought it would. Mickey never showed affection like this before, towards anyone, let alone a man he cared about. Now his crew were getting some serious PDA and he didn't give a shit.Ian's little smile is why he didn't. Or the way he rested against him, seeking as much comfort as possible with their positions. Mickey didn't blush or shy away from the touch, he didn't alter the words he used towards Ian.He'd been lonely for far too long and now that he had someone he wanted more than anything, there would be no hiding. No shame. No secrets. Just sweet smiles and the soft sound of Ian sighing each time he touched him."How hurt is Noah?" Mickey asked out of the blue. Ian's eyes opened, darkening in anger and even the gentle sweep of his hand was not enough to calm him. He glanced up at Iggy. "How bad?"Iggy was smirking, as well as the others. "I called the hospital on the way back here. Fudged the truth a little and said I was family." He paused as Mickey grinned. "He's got a four inch slice across his right calf muscle. Blade went deep enough for stitches."Ian felt that growl bubble up his throat and only the feel of Mickey's rough hand across his shoulders was enough to keep him quiet."Fuck, I love you." Mickey admitted easily, sounding far too happy that Noah had been in the hospital at all. But Ian's smile was worth it as he rose up from the water and pushed their lips together in a lingering kiss."Love you." Ian replied easily, sinking back into his original spot. His voice turning back into a low growl as he looked at the other. "He's lucky that's all he got."The others agreed so hard they only nodded, knowing it would get Ian worked up if they said too much about it all."It was bad enough to warrant a hospital but not bad enough to keep him there." Knox spoke up, trying not to grip the gun at his hip. "He left about an hour later against medical advice.""Figures. Bastard can't do anything right." Mickey rubbed his eyes, a headache forming between them. "I'm sure we'll see him at some point tomorrow before we leave. But until then, we need to rest up. You guys take the house."They all looked at him a little oddly, including Ian and Mickey knew it was a little odd for him not to sleep in the house but he meant what he said, he wasn't leaving Ian."I'm sleepin out here." He explained, catching a few understanding looks from his crew. Ian, however, gripped his leg, making him look down. "You're not gonna change my mind, Ian."Ian laughed because he knew that much was true. "No fear of drowning?" He winked, choosing to be playful about it rather than serious.Mickey bent down until his head pushed into Ian's and their lips were only inches away. "You wouldn't let me drown, would ya?"Ian shook his head, eying his lips hungrily. "I'm good at mouth to mouth, so no worries."Mickey gripped Ian behind his neck, connecting their lips, moaning quietly into Ian's mouth for only him to hear."Jesus. Get a room." Iggy groaned, getting up before anything else happened.Mickey broke the kiss and as soon as he turned to look at them, Ian was moving to his neck. Leaving hot, wet, body trembling kisses. "Go in then, this is our room."Knox and Quinn simply smiled and walked inside. Leaving them alone for a few seconds before Iggy returned with a blanket and a pillow from the bed. Mickey grinned, getting the finger in return as he walked back inside."You shouldn't sleep out here." Ian mumbled against his throat, kissing further down until the soft material of his shirt blocked the rest of his path. "You could roll off.""I'm not leaving." He arched his neck, keeping his voice low. "Don't try and change my mind because it won't work and you can't kiss me if we talk."Ian chuckled, lifting his head to start kissing under Mickey's chin, then his stubbly jaw, the corner of his mouth. "How about I keep kissing and you talk to me."As tired as they were, touching seemed far more important than sleep. It seemed like all his aches and pains disappeared under Ian's mouth. Choosing to keep going was already out of his control."And if I did, what would I talk about?" Mickey's hand moved over a little until he was lightly gripping Ian's throat, his thumb under his chin. Tilting it until their eyes met. "What would you like me to say?"Ian chewed the corner of his lip as his hand moved up Mickey's clothed thigh. Blue eyes darkened, his grip tightened. "Anything you want. What you want, what you're feeling. What you think about when I kiss you."Already his body stirred to life, pushing passed the need to eat and sleep and went right to the needs of his body. That ache he felt was still there. An ache that not even jerking off could quench properly. And until Ian had legs and they figured all that shit out, he would be aching for quite some time."I probably shouldn't say what I want," Mickey tightened his grip, bringing Ian closer to his mouth at the same time one webbed hand settled high up the inside of his thigh. "Or what I think because it'll make the need worse."Ian licked his lips, the tips of his fingers slowly brushing over the hardness in Mickey's clothes. "What need?" He asked, knowing that for now, they could only do so much about their needs. "Let me help."The tips of Ian's fingers brushed over the head of his cock, making his eyes flutter closed for a moment. "The need that requires you to have legs." He said it so low he wasn't sure Ian could hear, but the soft gasp let him know he had. "A need that jerking off won't take away. I need something else."Mickey knew the second Ian remembered. When he spied on him, watching him touch himself and not just the way he touched his cock, but the rest. Ian groaned a deep, sexy sound."Like before?" Ian asked, pushing his entire hand forward until he could close his hand around him. "With your fingers?""Fuck." Mickey groaned, moving to lay on one side so he had room to spread his legs. The hand that wasn't on Ian's throat moved over his, helping him stroke him. "And yes, what I did with my fingers." He shut his eyes as images of Ian's long fingers flashed into his mind. "That's what I need.""I won't have legs for hours." Ian glanced at the moon. "Let me do it," Ian moved quickly to bite Mickey's bottom lip when he groaned again. "You can tell me what to do and I can help. I want you to feel good."Fuck, Ian was going to be the death of him. No joke. He barely survived Ian jerking him off, or them getting each other off like they had been. The way he touched him, the way he responded to his touch, the sounds he made because of it, was powerful enough to make him come if he thought about it long about it.Not to mention that Ian was a virgin; his own words. Ian said he had no experience pleasing anyone, aside from when he did it himself and the moments they shared. And inexperience had never turned him on before. But knowing Ian had never touched anyone else, not to mention how eager he was to learn, as the hottest things he'd ever seen."God." Mickey whined, eager to pull his sweats down enough to get played with. "Not out here. Not when they could hear us." His hand moved from Ian's throat around his back, barely pressing against Ian's but it was enough to have him gasping."I want you." Ian whispered, breathing heavier as he slipped the tips of his fingers inside his clothes to feel hot, hard skin. "I want it again."Just before he could give in, slip off his clothes and climb into the water, the outside lights flickered on. Moments later the door opened and Iggy popped his head out."You sure you're good out here?"Mickey nodded, lifting his leg a little so Iggy didn't see how much of Ian's hand was in his pants. "M'good. Let us get some sleep.""Fine." Iggy huffed, shutting the light off before he closed the door.Mickey focused back on Ian, seeing the flush to his cheeks override the dark bags under his eyes. "I'll get you this time, yeah?""What about you?" Ian asked, eyebrows drawn in. "I like it when we both do it."Mickey smiled. "I like it too. But my shit makes a big mess." He gripped Ian's hand, moving it away from his cock. "We can do it together when we have time.""What if I can't do it without you?" Ian asked seriously. "Listening to you, touching you, is what gets me there.""Fuck, I like that it gets you there." Mickey growled as he stroked the side of his mouth. "Let's give it a try, hmm? I can touch you and kiss you, talk to you like you wanted."Ian's body trembled, making him gasp sharply. "Up here?" He motioned to the deck, already not strong enough to say no again.Mickey nodded. "Think you can?"He only asked because land and Ian did not mix. Ian got on his boat by necessity, not choice. He would never assume anything about Ian unless it came from his mouth. He didn’t want to make him feel uncomfortable or exposed."Yeah, I guess I could." Ian blushed, a little flustered by how much he wanted it. Wanting it enough to get out of the water. "But when we can, then will you let me help?"Mickey nodded, his body pulsing."With my fingers, I mean." Ian added, just to clarify."Jesus." Mickey shifted, letting the heel of one foot press into his ass just enough to remind him how deprived he was. "Let's cross that bridge when we come to it. Now get up here."The second he moved over, Ian pulled himself up, causing water to reach up the deck and wet Mickey's clothes, and Mickey eagerly took in how big his shoulders were as they bunch, pulling himself all the way up. That long, beautiful tail stretching the entire length of the dock.Mickey crawled to the other side, where the deck was a little more dry and laid down beside him, propped up on one elbow so he could keep looking at him. "You're so beautiful."Ian blushed, hiding his face in his arms as he stayed on his stomach. "I'm happy you think so."Mickey's eyes finally made it back to his face. "The whole world thinks so, Ian." He moved closer, trailing his left arm down Ian's back, starting at his neck."I only care about you," Ian moved closer, still on his stomach but had his head tipped to the side, asking for a kiss. "Just you."Mickey gave him the kiss he wanted. Deepening it quickly, unable to stop growling. Swirling their tongues together as his hand moved down Ian's back, over each bump of his spine, over each gem until he softly pressed into his lower back."Mickey…" Ian gasped, breaking the kiss. "I can't believe how good it feels."Mickey smiled, moving to kiss across Ian's jaw, then around his gills. Down the long length of his neck before it met his shoulder. "I'm gonna try something else this time, if you'll let me." He slid down the deck a little as he cleared Ian's shoulders. "Wanna let me?"Ian nodded, his head dropped between his arms, holding as still as possible. "Try what?""I'm gonna use my mouth this time." Mickey demonstrated by licking over one of his sides, not minding the salty water on his skin. "I think it'll make it stronger."Ian glanced back over his shoulder, eyes wide. "It?""Your orgasm, Ian." Mickey moved to his knees, licking down Ian's spine as he shuddered under him. Getting closer and closer to that spot. "Unless you want me to stop.""Don't stop. Please."So he didn't. He knelt beside Ian's body, mapping out the long length of his back with eager hands before his mouth. Kissing and sucking his skin, licking the water away. Memorizing every deep groan, Ian gave those when he used his teeth, then the soft gasps for when he used his tongue."I want your mouth all over me if it feels this good." Ian groaned, arching his back, aching to feel more."Anytime you want it." Mickey groaned against his back, pushing his hips against the side of Ian's tail. Adding just the right amount of friction to pull a groan from him. "I'll put my mouth all over you.""Please." Ian moaned again.Mickey gripped both of Ian's hips, his thumbs pressing hard into his skin as he lowered his mouth, right on that spot. Kissing over it, licking slowly, swirling his tongue around both dimples in his back."Oh, my God…" Ian moaned. He slapped his hand over his mouth, eyeing the house for the humans. When he they didn't come out, he lowered his hand, breathing deeply. "It feels better like this."Mickey growled. "Yeah?" Ian nodded quickly, green eyes dark each time he looked back. "Touch yourself, Ian. Slide your hand to the front while I get the back."He didn't wait to see if Ian would, he knew Ian would. Mickey focused on Ian's back, adding pressure from his thumbs as he continued with his mouth.Somehow this was far better than his own pleasure. Giving Ian what he wanted, what he needed. Making him moan. Bringing him pleasure was far more addicting than his own."Oh, God." Ian pushed into his hand, grinding his tail against it as Mickey held his hips. "I need you, Mickey.""I need you, too." Mickey leaned up, kissing along Ian's neck as his thumbs moved in circles against Ian's lower back. "I can't wait to see your legs, to touch you how you touch me. To actually make you come.""You want that?" Ian asked, wishing it was time right now."Fuck yeah I want it." Mickey paused to take his mouth, swallowing Ian's moans greedily. "I want you in my mouth, I want to suck you until you come down my throat.""Yes. Yes, I want it." Ian rolled to his side, making Mickey release his back long enough to pull him down to the deck, their lips close together. "I have to touch you."There was no saying no. Ian pushed his hand down his sweats, gripping him hard enough for his entire body to buck. Mickey went with it, kissing him hard as his hand slid under Ian's body, pushing against his lower back while his other hand moved to the front, pushing into his tail."I can't wait until we can move together, until we are nothing but skin." Ian moved his arm faster, tightening his grip. "I want to use my fingers until you come like you did before.""Please." Mickey begged brokenly, moving Ian's hand from his cock to his ass, urging him on. It was too much. "Please, baby."Ian's eyes widened at the term. He gripped Mickey's ass, squeezing hard until he moaned. "Tell me how."It was hard to keep up his end, rubbing Ian the way he needed it. But he kept it up as best as he could, panting against his mouth. "Just keep going, it's already working."It was chaotic, confusing. Their bodies tangled as they moved. Mickey had one leg over Ian's tail so he was able to push his cock against it, then push back into Ian's hand as he squeezed his ass.They kissed, and begged and pleaded to each other for more. Mickey felt Ian tremble with every move from his hands and knew it was only a matter of time before it happened. It was coming quickly for them."Fuck, oh fuck." Mickey whined, watching Ian fall apart before him. Ian's entire body shook as he found his orgasm, green eyes slamming closed, unable to hold them open. "You're so sexy, Ian.""Mickey." Ian whispered, twice as exhausted now but determined to make Mickey come. "I want to use my mouth on you."It wasn't a request. Mickey rolled with it as Ian put him on his back with a firm grip, moving between his legs, kissing from his lips down to his hips, green eyes looking up, eager. "You sure?" He asked, forcing the words out as he held onto Ian's head."More than anything, love," Ian pulled his pants down more until he could see all of him. Hard and ready. "You've given me so much pleasure already. Let me please."Ian's mouth…fuck, he wasn't going to last long at all."Just no teeth." Mickey thumbed Ian's lips, groaning when he sucked on his finger, making it wet. "Put your lips over them, use your tongue, but no teeth.""No teeth." Ian repeated as he glanced down, letting Mickey guide him closer."Like this," Mickey was breathless as he spoke but waited until Ian looked up to roll his tongue out, licking up. "Just like sucking on my finger."Ian copied the motion, watching Mickey groan because of it. He dipped his head down, rolling his tongue along hard skin. "Like that?""Just like that, but all over, baby." Mickey used the term effortlessly. He slid his hand down, jerking a few times before holding onto it, pushing the wet tip against Ian's mouth. "Show me."Without further hesitation, Ian opened his mouth, taking Mickey down just as if it were his finger and sheathed his teeth behind his lips. Mickey was writhing beneath him, eyes shut, head thrown back as he moaned up to the moon."Fuck, just like that." His eyes nearly went crossed as he saw Ian's lips spread wide around him. He added a little pressure, making Ian take more of him before he pulled, helping him slid off. "See, up and down, baby. Bob your head, take as much as you want."Up and down. Ian followed the motion, eyes cast up as he moved first down, all the way until his mouth was too full for anymore to fit, he gagged a little, choking before he began to pull back. He wiggled his tongue, saw how much Mickey liked it, then pulled up."Holy shit." Mickey whined, watching Ian suck him. His pretty mouth slick, wide open as he moved. Making his cock wet, making it pulse and leak into his mouth. "Like it?"Ian pulled all the way off this time, catching his breath as spit coated his lips. "I can feel you getting wet."Mickey groaned and as if on cue, his cock leaked again, beading his head with pre-come. "You're doin so good, Ian," he wiped the wetness with his thumb, then sucked it into his own mouth. Moaning. "I've never seen anything so sexy before, fuck."Ian didn't reply, he only smiled coyly and took him back down. Mickey was surprised. This time was nothing like those first few bobs, this time it was like Ian inhaled all that knowledge and used it. Sucking him like he had years of blow jobs under his belt.He was eager, nearly taking him all the way down before swirling his tongue around him on the way back up. Mickey tightened his grip each time Ian took the time to lick away the pre-come, green eyes closing like he loved the taste.Fuck, he was gonna come so hard."Oh, my fucking God!" Mickey moaned into his arm, trying to stifle the loud noise but Ian was moving so fast it was a blur. Just the dip of red hair and dark green eyes, the vibration from when he started to moan around him. "I'm gonna come. You wanna move?"Mickey asked, panting through the entire sentence. Doing his best not to fuck up into his mouth. Ian growled, holding Mickey's thighs apart as he kept moving."Shit, shit, shit!" He moved up on one elbow, fisting Ian's hair tightly. "Here it comes, Ian. Look at me."Ian looked up, seeing his love fall apart."Yes!" Mickey came hard, pulling Ian up a little as not to choke him. Ian seemed surprised, eyes wide but instinct took over and Mickey watched him swallow fast, drinking him down. "God!"It was so fucking good. Mickey knew for a fact that he had never come so hard before. So good. Making his entire body collapse. Shaking, panting. Sweating as he twitched.And Ian, looking like a God as he pulled off him, licking his red lips. As if he needed to get every drop. He was beautiful, powerful. Majestic. And his."I want to do it again." Ian smiled, glancing up at him through his eyelashes.Mickey laughed, sat up and pulled Ian to his mouth as he lay back down. He swirled his tongue inside, tasting himself and Ian growled because of it. Holding his face, taking control of him, of the kiss. Of his mind and body and soul."Again will have to wait." Mickey pulled back to say, a little obsessed with how red his lips were. "You were so good. Doin it like you’ve been doing it your entire life.""So were you." Ian smiled, brushing sweaty Mickey's hair back from his face. "I love the way you taste.""Next time, I taste you." Mickey growled, letting Ian roll over beside him. That's when he noticed it. "You look a little flushed."Ian nodded, feeling like his skin was pulled too tightly over his bones. He rubbed against his neck, squeezing the overly tight skin. "Too much time out of the water does that."Mickey pulled his sweats up as he sat down, pulling Ian up with him. "In you go." He held Ian's hand as he slipped into the water and the flush on his cheeks faded back to normal in seconds. "You okay?"Ian swam to the deck, pulling up so he could rest his elbows on it. "I'm fantastic."Mickey grinned, kissing him deeply. "Come on, we need to sleep." He moved to the top of the deck where Iggy tossed his pillow and Ian swam alongside him. "If you need me when it happens, I'm here."The sun would rise in a few hours and Ian would once again have legs. And as much as Mickey wanted to look, wanted to watch, he knew now was not the time. They’d been through a lot in the last couple of days and didn’t need to complicate it further."Just don't look yet, okay?" Ian asked, his voice low. "It's not private enough where we are."Mickey leaned over, pushing their heads together. "I won't look, but I'm here if you need me. To talk or just be awake with you."Ian let out a grateful sigh. "You are too good to me, Mickey. Thank you.""You don't have to thank me for loving you, Ian." Mickey kissed his forehead.Ian looked up, touching his cheek softly. "I must thank someone for it. For you. For bringing us together. I am so grateful for you, Mickey.""And I am grateful for you." Mickey kissed him again and watched as Ian moved into the chair under the water, leaving enough room to keep their hands linked. He got situated as well, laying on the pillow, his arms hanging over the side. "I'm going to be grateful for the rest of my life."Ian smiled, feeling his eyes close before he could fight to keep them open. "I love you, Mickey."Mickey squeezed his hand, drifting off slowly. "Love you too, Ian." He felt the water settle, knowing Ian was asleep when he whispered the last few words. "More than anything."
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The Devil's TriangleChapter 11- In Another Life It was just before dawn when he heard it. Even over the harsh winds and crashing waves against the deck. A soft crying sound, Ian. Mickey let Ian squeeze his hand as hard as he needed to, nearly dislocating his thumb. He took the pain because Ian had to.Mickey did his best to help. Keeping his eyes closed as Ian asked, even when he let his head hang off the deck so Ian could see him. He squeezed Ian's hand back, rubbed his thumb over his wrist. But most of all, he talked to him.Nothing special, nothing serious. Just talking. Mostly about the ocean. About places he'd been to, on vacation or for work. Describing white sand, or pink once, crystal clear water, or the darkness of the Black Sea.Eventually Ian's grip loosened and Mickey could hear him take deep, shuddering breaths. Whimpering a little as he exhaled. Mickey kept his eyes closed but leaned over to kiss Ian's hand. Letting Ian stroke the side of his face with his other one.Mickey wanted to look so bad.More than anything, even more than the urge to look, Mickey just wanted to hold him. To kiss his temple each time he whimpered, maybe wrap both arms around him just so he felt safe. He wanted their hands linked, keeping them together."It hurts." Ian whispered moments after it happened.It had been the saddest thing he'd ever heard. Not just the words, but the way Ian said them. Ian felt that pain each day, each time it happened and up until now, he'd been alone."I wish I could see you." Mickey whispered, keeping his eyes shut. "I wish I could help."The water shifted as Ian moved and Mickey wondered if Ian could even use his legs like a human would."This is helping, Mickey." Ian squeezed their linked hands. "Not being alone helps so much.""I feel useless up here.""I feel useless down here.""Can I come down?" Mickey asked, not knowing if it was asking too much. But he hated the distance right now. "I won't look, I just wanna hold you."It took awhile, maybe over an hour, maybe less than half a second. Mickey could feel his heart pounding in his chest, echoing in his mind. But then Ian spoke and suddenly it wasn't so loud."Promise you won't look?" Ian asked quietly.Mickey smiled. "I promise, Ian. I won't look until you want me to.""Okay."Mickey kissed Ian's hand before he released it. He stood, unbothered by how stiff he was from sleeping on the deck and shrugged off his tank top and pushed his sweats down until he was in his boxers."I'm comin down." Mickey sat on the edge and lowered himself into the water just next to where Ian had been. He hesitated, thinking too loudly as his eyes remained closed.Ian would be naked.He dragged the thin blanket into the water, keeping a good grip as it grew heavy as it soaked completely and moved slowly until he could feel the lounge chair and Ian's hand."You're really not gonna look?" Ian asked quietly, huddled into the chair with his knees drawn up to his chest."I won't." Mickey smiled, running his hand the length of Ian's arm until he could feel him.Ian had to have been sitting up because he didn't bump his legs as he moved closer. Mickey felt with his fingers, not touching his legs but how one arm was folded around them and Ian's back was hunched, holding himself."Can you hop up really quick?" Mickey asked, his thumb moving back and forth on Ian's arm. He was cold."Yeah. But why?" Ian moved to the side, slipping off the chair so his legs sank into cold sand."Wanted to sit, you can sit on my lap." Mickey was about to get into the chair when he heard Ian's teeth chattering. "Do you want to move the chair in the sun?"Ian glanced around, seeing no one. "Is that safe?""I'll make it safe." Mickey promised but didn't move the chair until Ian agreed."Okay. Maybe a little." He moved back in to sit and held on as Mickey moved the chair against the bottom of the ocean, away from the shaded water and into the warm water. "This feels so much better."Mickey smiled. "Okay, just let me sit." He waited a moment and heard Ian slip from the chair again. He sat quickly, holding his hand out for Ian. "Ready?"Ian nodded, looking all around as he slowly climbed up on Mickey's lap, his legs folded to the side, pushing against Mickey's chest as his back settled in the cradle of one strong arm."You feel so light." Mickey marveled, keeping one hand around Ian's chest so he didn't let it wander too far south. "Brought this, just so you're covered." He motioned to the blanket and got a kiss on his cheek in return."You're too good to me." Ian sighed and helped Mickey cover his nakedness, shivering a little at the cold material. "I'm never out in the open so I don't have to worry about it."Mickey relaxed as Ian settled back against him, tilted to the side so his head rested on his shoulder. Ian's arms folded between them, one cold hand on his chest, slowly stroking over it."Do you stay in the water when it happens?" Mickey asked, turning a little to kiss his head."Not normally." Ian closed his eyes at the kiss. "You've seen one of my places. It has land so I'm not in the water. I'm significantly weaker like this.""I know you wanted to wait for me to see before we talk about it " Mickey paused to kiss Ian's shoulder, finding that he couldn't help himself. "But can you use them at all?"Ian cuddled closer, kissing warm skin. "I used to be able to walk. Not just like a few steps, but actually walk. On land, on the beach or where humans are."Mickey couldn't hide his surprise quick enough. "Wow, I hope you had clothes on."Ian laughed. "I did, minimal though because it felt weird. Scratchy. Suffocating." He pressed his face against Mickey's chest, just because he wanted to. "But yeah. I could walk, running was hard though and I found I got tired easily."Mickey almost couldn't even imagine Ian with legs. Not because he would look awful but he was so used to seeing his beautiful tale. Seeing him swim faster than any boat could ever go. Ian belonged in the water."But it's been nearly a hundred years since I tried to walk." He shifted a little, pushing one leg off of Mickey's lap to let it dangle in the water. "I can move them, sit on them. Little things but walking would be hard.""That's a long time not to use them." Mickey had his hand on the arm of the chair and could feel the movements of Ian's leg as he moved it in the water. "And from the feel of you, I'd say you're pretty tall. Taller than me."Ian smiled as he looked up, seeing Mickey's eyes still closed. From the corner of his eye, he could see Mickey's fingers tapping on the chair, eager to touch. "You're trying not to touch me."Mickey smiled. "Yeah, I am." He gripped the chair, stopping his fingers from moving. "Trying to picture you without your tail. Not seeing it."Ian took his hand off Mickey's chest, reached down to lay his hand over Mickey's. He linked their fingers and lifted them, slowly moving them towards his leg."Ian, you don't have to." Mickey tensed, putting a stop to it just before they would touch. "I'm happy to wait.""I want you to." Ian pushed a little, showing him he wanted it. "Within reason of course. They're sensitive like my tail. Stuff and uncomfortable. I hate them.”Mickey held his breath, trying not to get too excited. That wouldn’t be good and it might make Ian retreat and rethink letting him. Going slow was the way to go. The hand around Ian's waist tightened, like he needed something to brace himself against before it happened. He was nervous.Ian was calm. Mickey could feel his steady breathing, unlike his own which was rather ragged. He wasn't shaking anymore, from the cold or from fear. Ian's other hand moved up to his face, cupping it softly."I should be the one who is scared, not you." Ian whispered against his mouth.Mickey leaned down, the hand on Ian's side moving up to his jaw, feeling his way to his lips. "You don't have to be scared with me, Ian. Not about anything. Whether you show me or not, is not going to change anything for me, not for us. I will always be here."Ian's breath hitched, still surprised by Mickey's open-mindedness, his tenderness. "When you spend your entire life in fear, it's hard to stop. Even when you’ve found someone you don’t have to be afraid around. I’ve learned the hard way about trust.”Mickey smiled sadly, rubbing his thumb across Ian's cheek. "Just in case you didn't know, but I love everything about you. Ian." He paused to kiss his lips lightly. "I love the tail and the gills instead of ears and your beautiful colors.”Ian felt his chest tighten.Mickey unlinked their hands, moving away from Ian's legs so he could wrap him up in his arms tightly. "I love your voice and how you speak. You're so gentle but you can be fierce when you need to be." He put Ian's hand up to his mouth, kissed it, then put it over his heart. "You're so brave, Ian. So good. There is nothing you can do, or not do, that would change my mind.”Ian pulled Mickey down by the back of his neck, crying as he listened."I don't care if you have legs, or if you never did. Or if it stops." Mickey lowered his voice, feeling his heart pulse. "A tail or legs, both. One or the other. I love all of you.""Now I'm crying." Ian sniffled, tracing Mickey's smile with his finger tips. "I can't believe how utterly wonderful you are. How accepting."One of Mickey's hands slid around Ian's side, up his chest to grip the side of his neck. "I think the most wonderful part of me is you, Ian." He wiped away the tears. "I've never been this way before. I've never loved someone so much that it hurts. I have a problem with trust too, with people. They say one thing and do another. Sometimes it’s so bad that it takes you years to find yourself again. But you’re not like that, Ian. You’re wonderful in every way. We belong together.”"Love like that is magic." Ian whispered, leaning their heads together as he felt Mickey's heart pound under his palm. "Love like that is epic, it's legendary. And it's ours. And you’re right, we do belong together. No matter what happens.”Even without the words, Mickey could feel the love between them. It pulsed like it was actually alive and breathing. Meant to be protected and cared for, cherished. Mickey knew deep down that Ian was the only one he would ever love like this. No matter what happened at the end of this adventure, no matter if they took different turns. Mickey would love him."Kiss me." Mickey asked, not a demand but a plea. His eyes opened for a moment, searching over the human-like features of Ian's face, missing the gills even when he had ears for the moment. Then he closed them. "Please?"Ian smiled, wrapped one arm around Mickey's shoulders, the other angled his jaw up and kissed him lightly. Then again, longer each time until Mickey was whispering 'please' each time he pulled back.Finally, Mickey groaned into that first deep kiss. His own hand moving to angle Ian's jaw where he needed it. His other hand caressed Ian's side, over soft skin, still eager to move down. To touch more."Touch me." Ian begged, his hand moving to Mickey's and put them back over the blanket on his legs."Anything you want." Mickey groaned, surging up again to kiss him. His hand moved lower to the edge of the blanket and slipped under slowly. "Just tell me if I need to stop.""I will."At the first touch of slick skin, Mickey gasped, forcing his eyes to remain closed. His skin was baby soft, slightly chilled from the shadow of the blanket. He laid his palm flat against it, squeezing a little."That feels good." Ian hummed, his eyes eagerly watching.Mickey moved up a little to his knee, making Ian gasp against his jaw. "You feel good. Soft." His fingers curled to the back of it, stroking slowly. "But I still like the tail."Ian sighed happily, relieved."More?" Mickey asked, only slightly worried about poking against Ian's ass. Just some simple leg touching already had him halfway hard. "Or I can stop."Ian shook his head, his voice shuddering. "Don't stop."With the go ahead, Mickey's fingers slipped up his thigh, spanning them wide to feel as much as possible. "Fuck." He hissed, happy his eyes were closed before Ian could see how lusty they were."I feel you." Ian shifted a little, making goosebumps shoot up his spine. "You really like this?"Mickey nodded, making sure to keep his fingers away from Ian's inner thigh so he didn't accidentally graze him. "I love touching you. It feels different, but good. And I should probably stop.""Probably." Ian tightened his arm around Mickey's shoulders, his face pressed into his jaw. "But I don't want you to."Mickey smiled."But I'm nervous." Ian finished, his voice low.At that, Mickey instantly stopped, his hand moving down instead of up to rest on his shin once more. "Are you just nervous because it's new like this? Or does it feel different?""Because it's new. I'm different like this." Ian kissed his jaw a few times. "I think I'm just worried you won't like me this way if we touch like that. I don’t want to ruin what we’ve already done.”"Baby," Mickey sighed, eager to see his face even when he knew what he'd see. "I like you this way, I like you the other way. We don't have to go any further. We have all the time in the world for that.""Maybe when it's just us." Ian heard movement from inside, he stiffened in defense. "I think they're awake."On instinct, his arms tightened. "You're close to changing back, right?""Yeah, it should be any minute now." Ian glanced at the morning sun. He only had a few moments left and he was already afraid, anticipating the coming pain. "Do you want me to move?""Only if you want that." Mickey tipped his head up, blindly searching for a kiss. He just wished he could see him, all of him. That Ian, maybe one day, would feel comfortable enough to trust him. Seconds later, Ian gave him the softest one. "Just tell me."They could hear heavy footsteps from above, cutting their time short."Stay." Ian whispered, leaning into him. "But what if they come out?""I'll handle it." Mickey promised, knowing he was about to.The door opened and three sets of boots moved onto the deck. "Mickey?""I'm fine." Mickey yelled, making Ian flinch. "Don't look in the water unless you wanna see gay sex."Ian snorted, but heard groans from above."Gross, man." Iggy gagged. "We need to start this shit today, you got ten minutes. Wrap that shit up.”The sounds of them retreating went by quickly until the door shut and Ian sighed. "Thank you."Mickey grinned. "You're welcome."A few moments passed when nothing happened. Just them sitting together, sharing brief kisses, smiles, lingering touches. Until Ian let out a soft whimper and tensed in his arms."This is it." Ian whimpered again, gripping Mickey's shoulder hard.Unsure of what to do or how to make it better, Mickey just pressed their heads together and tried to breathe evenly, seeing Ian copy him. "I got you, Ian.""Fuck, I hate this." Ian whined, putting his head in Mickey's neck as that painful tingle started at his toes and worked its way up. "Maybe I should move."Mickey could feel scales digging into his thigh, but soft skin by his arm. Ian was literally morphing on top of him. It slowly spread up, and he could almost feel the energy, the magic."It's okay, I'm fine." Mickey tightened his grip. "Just breathe, baby."Taking Mickey at his word, Ian stayed put. Gripping him tightly as tears prickled his eyes, as it spread up to his thighs. One again encasing them in yellow and orange scales. Ian was sure his nails had pierced Mickey's skin, and the only thing he could do was grip harder as it finished its agonizing torture."Move the blanket." Ian asked, his voice only a whisper.Mickey gripped the blanket and tossed it to the side, letting it sink to the bottom. "Better?" He asked only when Ian sagged against him, his breathing shallow, ragged."No, nothing makes it better, but you being here makes it easier." Ian released his grip, he’d left crescent moons from his nails into his soft skin. He dipped his hand into the water and washed away the blood from his nails. "Sorry.""You're fine." Mickey rubbed his back. "Can I see you now?""Yes, please do."Mickey opened his eyes, blinking to let his eyes adjust to the hours of darkness. Ian looked just as beautiful as he remembered, the tail especially. He smiled and slowly ran his hand down it. It was familiar, it was Ian."There you are." Mickey's heart thumped when Ian blushed, then smiled. "Missed you."Ian slipped off his lap and back into the water. He sank all the way under and took a deep, soothing breath before he came up and pulled Mickey's hand until he was in the water as well. "I was right here."Mickey pulled Ian to him until their chests touched. "Missed seeing you." His eyes moved over all of him, then into the water to his glittering tail. "To me, this is you. Just you. Shiny, beautiful, all the gems." He thumbed at the ones around his eyes. "I love you."Ian wrapped his arms around Mickey's neck, talking against his lips. "I love you, too."The kiss was soft and slow and way over before either of them wanted it to be."We are going to try to leave today." Mickey said as he pulled back. "Which means I need to go into town for a bit."Ian nodded. "And before that, I need to swim for a while. Eat, stretch. Just be in the water. This takes a lot out of me. I need to be at my full strength before we have any more run-ins with Noah.”The water seemed to agree, moving harsh waves against them before it settled. Urging Ian to come, to swim. To be free."We still don't know what Noah is up to, so please stay safe." Mickey cupped his face. "Stay as deep as you can, baby. Don't let him get lucky. I need you to be safe.""I promise." Ian kissed him. "When can I meet you?""I should be at the marina most of the day, but my boat will be swarmed with people checking to make sure I can leave." Mickey explained. "It's almost eight now. I'll try to meet you around ten. It should give us both enough time to do what we need."Ian glanced up at the bright sun. "I'll be there, Mickey. I won't go far.""If I can't get there, stay as close as possible." Mickey paused to kiss him, unable to pull away until their tongues swept together a few times. "I love you. Ian."Ian pushed his hands into dark wet hair, pulling him impossibly closer. "I love you too, Mickey."It was hard to watch him leave again. Mickey watched as Ian swam under the shallow water until it started to get darker, deeper. Until he could no longer see the yellow of his tail.Panic was there, especially after last night. After almost losing him, to Noah of all people, it was hard to watch him go. Ian had already proven he could handle himself, but what was love if you didn't let that person help you, protect you? All those awful things ran through his mind, never seeing him again, never hearing his voice, being alone for the rest of his days. It was almost too much to bare and Mickey thought long and hard about swimming after him."He gonna be okay?" Iggy asked as he stepped onto the deck and closed the door.Mickey moved through the water until he could pull himself up to sit on the side, tugging the chair and the wet blanket with him. "I think he will. I'm not sure about me though.""Let's just make this quick, yeah? Get the fuck gone before something else happens." Iggy stepped up to him, offering his hand.Mickey took one more look at the water, then grabbed his hand and let Iggy pull him up to stand. "Yeah, let's do that. I’m done with this shit. It’s about time it ends.”**"Is the world against us now?" Mickey barked as he walked away from one of his associates before he found himself jobless. "Fucking ridiculous."Iggy jogged up behind him. "At least we can go tomorrow. They didn't count on us cutting the trip short."They arrived over an hour ago at the docks, making sure they were all cleared to leave. Well, they hadn't been. The boat was fourth on the list for inspection and the supplies Quinn ordered last night would be there until tonight. It said it was delayed. Fucking delayed.They were fucked for an entire day."I did not want to be stuck here after last night." Mickey rubbed his eyes, then put his sunglasses back on as he walked towards the docks. "Now we have to dodge Noah for an entire fucking day.""It'll be easier than we think." Iggy rubbed his chin. "We ditch the hotel, find a new one on the other side so he doesn't know where we are. As soon as the boat is done, we leave. We can keep tabs on it, I’ll even stay here until it’s done if that helps but we get the hell out as soon as we can.”Mickey watched his boat leave its place in the marina, the inspection guys already checking things off on a clipboard. It gave him just enough hope to stay semi calm. But barely. This is not what he expected to happen."What the hell do we do for the whole day?" Mickey asked as he glanced out at the water for any signs of Ian. He was anxious to see him, but worried. Noah had yet to hit them back for what happened. It was coming and it would be brutal. For everyone."Anything we want I think. But let's just say no deep water diving, yeah?" Iggy huffed. "We do not need a repeat of that.""No, we don't." Mickey smiled tightly. It would be a long ass time before he went deep diving again. It sent a shiver down his spine just to think about what could have happened. "I'm probably just gonna spend the day with Ian close to whatever location we pick for our new hotel.""Yeah, I figured that. Might take the boys out, look at some new gear in a few shops, lunch maybe. They’ve been cooped up like we have and alert to all of Noah’s shit. Need to clear their minds for a few before we get back into the heavy shit.”Staying together would help. But if he stayed with them, Ian would be alone. He didn’t want Ian to be alone any longer than he had to. Noah was after him specifically and there was no end to what he’d do to get him."Maybe we can meet back at the hotel for dinner?" Mickey suggested. "I wanna get another one of those bungalow things so Ian can be close. I'm pretty sure we can cook up something edible. I don’t want to leave him alone for very long.”It would be easy to grab food in town and eat it at the hotel. It would probably be easier than attempting to cook. But Mickey wanted them all to do it together, so they could all spend some time. So the boys could meet Ian in a normal setting. Not fighting for their lives or neck deep exploring their sexuality, but normal stuff."That's a damn good idea." Iggy grinned, squeezing Mickey's shoulder. "As long as Ian is okay with some questions."Mickey narrowed his eyes. "Like what kind?""Easy man," Iggy held his hands up. "Nothing pushy. But for fucks sake, he's a mermaid. The only one we have ever seen. We got some questions."It was hard to let his guard down. Especially now. But this was his family, those were his friends. They would never do anything like that to Ian, or to him. It wasn’t without thought. But only if Ian wanted to talk."Shit, I'm sorry, man." Mickey nudged his shoulder. "Just tryin to work this shit out, it’s complicated working around all these unknown areas." He smiled when Iggy nodded. "Tonight is golden, it's gonna be a great time."Iggy smiled. "Good. Gimme a call later, yeah? And keep your eyes open." Iggy walked away but a whistle from Mickey held him up. "What's up?""You hear from Mandy at all?" Mickey asked, walking back to him. "I called her the other day and she didn't answer. Just makin me worry."Iggy pulled out his phone and checked his call log. "Not recently." He dialed the number but it went right to voicemail. "Should we call her boyfriend?"Mickey shook his head. "I hate that guy. I'm sure she's fine. I'm just worrying too much.""I'll try again later." Iggy bumped his fist and left.This time, Mickey didn't stop him. He pulled out his own phone as he worked his way to one end of the dock, far away from the other boats. He dialed her number. It went to voicemail, not even a single ring."Hey, Mandy, it's Mick. Look, some shit has happened over the last few days. And now you won't answer so I'm freakin out a little." Mickey rubbed his face. "Just call me back, or I'm gonna start callin everyone you know until you call me. I’ll even call the fuckin cops if you don’t give me a call. I love you."Mickey hung up, stuffed his phone back into his pocket and sat down. "Fuck.""Mickey?"Mickey opened his eyes, looking down into the water to see Ian below, smiling up at him. He smiled back, but looked back and forth quickly, just to make sure he was alone. He wasn’t, not really. There were people around but they were busy and so far there were no signs of Noah."Hey, baby." Mickey grinned down at him.Ian looked spectacular. All the cuts from last night were gone, no scrapes or anything from the sharks. His skin was glowing, much like when Ian healed the wound from the tracker. He looked healthy, radiant."What is it?" Ian asked, running a hand through his hair nervously.Mickey shook his head. "Nothin, you just look wonderful."Ian blushed. "I feel a lot better. The water helps, swimming too, eating as well. I feel like myself."There was nothing better than hearing that. Mickey couldn't contain how happy that made him. He laughed. One of those full bellied laughs that make your side hurt and your eyes water. He must have sounded insane but there was nothing like love to make you happy your lover was healthy.Ian just smiled at him."I'm glad you feel better." Mickey said after a while, still smiling. "No trouble I hope.""None at all." Ian looked back as the water shifted far off and he felt a boat go by. His eyes scanned the water, watching without drawing attention. "Kept close, did what I needed to do. Been here waiting.""Sorry it took so long." Mickey thumbed over his shoulder. "My shit won't be ready until tomorrow.""Is that okay?""Not really." Mickey answered honestly. "I'd rather be halfway done with our next run so that way we can head home and figure this out. But we can't rush them." He felt guilty but now it wasn’t up to him. “It’s just something that has to be done. I can’t make it go any"Is there anything we can do to be safe?" Ian asked, looking around. "Or safer?"Mickey nodded. "Iggy mentioned us moving hotels. Somewhere on the water still but in a different place. Like the one I had, but so someone doesn’t come looking for us. Maybe under a different name.""Seems smart." Ian agreed. "But you don't have to get one on the water just for me. I'll be okay."Mickey scoffed. "No way in hell, Ian. I'd never just leave you like that. And not just because of Noah. I can’t leave you.” Ian smiled up at him. "You gotta know I'd never do that.""I know." Ian grinned. "But if I didn't offer, I wouldn't be me.""Jesus." Mickey chuckled. "If I didn't have important shit in my pockets, I'd jump in and kiss you."Ian kept grinning. "Maybe later. Hmm?""Oh yeah, definitely later, baby." Mickey winked. "But, it looks like we have some time to kill before then. Anything you wanna do?""Well, I'm glad your boat isn't ready yet. After last night we need a break from open water."Mickey agreed with his entire self. "Yeah, let's try and stay as close to land as you can go." He took a second to think about only a few ideas that would entail. "Can't do much, but we could go to the beach, keep to ourselves."Ian nodded. "I like being by ourselves."The flutter in his heart extended down to his stomach, making his insides tighten. It wasn’t just about the sexual things they did. It didn’t mean he didn’t want it, or need it, like Ian did. But that’s not what it was all about. He wanted Ian around all the time. "I like that, too.""You mention staying somewhere else tonight?" Ian asked, shyly meeting his eyes.Mickey eyed him carefully. "Yeah. I did. Why?"Ian shrugged. "Maybe we can go there instead? Unless your humans will be there."Mickey swallowed thickly. "They won't, not until tonight. And we haven't even picked a place yet, so it would be just us. I’m sure they’ll be there at some point because we all need to stick together, but we have some time.”"I wanted to ask you something, but I'm not sure if you'd want to or not."His voice sounded unsure again. Like this morning when they were talking about him being human. It gave Mickey a pretty good idea of what it would be about. But he didn’t want to assume anything. Not when it concerned Ian."Can I ask what it's about? Or is that a talk we need to have in private?" Mickey asked as he looked around again. It was private in the sense that they were alone. But Ian was in the water, far enough away from him so they couldn't touch."I'd rather go in depth later on," Ian tipped his head back into the water, wetting his hair. "Since we are gonna be here for the night again, I wanted to take you to another one of my spots."Mickey's eyes widened, as did his smile when that worry slipped away. "Of course I want to come with you. But not a sea cave, right?"Ian chuckled. "No, no more of that for a while. This place is halfway on land, a cave but you can get there from the beach and the water."Excitement rolled off him in waves. "Can we go now?" He chuckled when Ian's smile widened."We could, but I'd rather wait until tonight if that's okay." Ian asked shyly, biting his lip a little when Mickey nodded. "I wanted to take you there when the change happens again."Mickey's eyes widened as well as his mouth opening a little in surprise. He didn't mean to seem so surprised but he hadn't expected it. "You want to show me?" Mickey asked, his eyes moving to the water to see Ian's tail moving back and forth."I wanted to last night, or this morning, but we were out in the open. At least this way we won't have to keep an eye out.""I would love to see, Ian." Mickey wanted to jump down and kiss him. "Thank you for wanting to show me.""You're most welcome, because I would never show anyone." Ian said nervously. "But you're different, Mickey. I want to show you, but I also want to explain why I'm like this.""Is that why you want to go back to the room?" Mickey asked softly, trying to control the rapid beat of his heart. "To tell me?""Yeah. I think I should explain. Or maybe I should have explained a while ago, but it's just hard to talk about.""Baby, you don't have to tell me anything unless you want to." Mickey bent down a little, trying to reach him but he was too far away. "I'd rather meet and talk then go to the beach.""Thank you." Ian smiled. "Do you have a place in mind?"Mickey scanned through all the hotels, remembering them from when he booked the first on;, villas and bungalows on the island, looking for one far away from his current one. "West side of the island has a cluster of villas there. We could use that.”"I've seen them. They're quite a bit bigger than the other one though." Ian observed. "You sure that's what you want?"Mickey didn't hesitate to nod. "It'll only be for one day and night. Perks of making the shipment early is they give you a bonus." He winked, making Ian smile again. "One night won't break me.""Should I go ahead and swim there?" Ian asked. "It shouldn't take too long.""It'll probably take me longer to book a place, pack up my shit and get there." Mickey laughed again. "Let me just call now and book it. Just to make sure we have it and you'll know which one."When Ian nodded, Mickey took his phone back out, quickly googled the correct number and waited for it to ring. "Yes, I need a room please." He waited as the woman on the other end of the phone chartered in his ear. "Just for today and tonight."Below, Mickey watched Ian move in the water. He was treading water on his back, his eyes closed, arms beside him as his tail slowly moved to keep him afloat. The sun reflected off the water in a way that made Ian's tail ten times more beautiful than it already was."Yeah, whichever one is available." Mickey responded, eyes still trained down. Ian's eyes opened, catching him staring; he only smiled up at him. "How many rooms?""You're staring." Ian closed his eyes again, feeling the heat from Mickey's stare over the heat of the sun."Because you're stunning." Mickey said as he held the phone from his mouth.Ian blushed."Three rooms?" Mickey repeated, thinking he'd end up sleeping outside with Ian again anyway. "Yeah, that'll work. Villa five? Great, I'll be there within the hour. Thank you." Mickey hung up the phone and Ian returned to his previous position and he already missed it."I'm amazed that you no longer feel the pull." Ian smiled, gripping the wood at the bottom of the dock. "You no longer try to drown yourself to get to me."Mickey snorted. "I would drown a million people to get to you." That got Ian to blush, shying away from his look. "And I still feel it. It always happens when you're around me, but I remind myself that if I want to be close to you, I can just ask. I don’t need to die for it.""You don't have to ask.""No, but it's polite." Mickey itched to touch him. "Half the time we are touching anyway. I guess my body realizes I don't need to put myself in danger to get to you.""Well, that's only half true." Ian gave him a look, making them both think about last night. "You were about to go back in to find me, weren't you?""I was." Mickey answered honestly. "And it was an easy choice. I never thought twice about not going in. But you came back before I could.""Humans are so strange." Ian shook his head. "My own kind wouldn't even risk that for me, yet someone of a different species is willing to risk their life for it."Mickey let that flutter in his heart increase until he could hear every beat."It amazes me.""Not all of us are bad, baby, but it's hard to tell the difference." Mickey stood, half tempted to empty his pockets and climb down if only to steal half a dozen kisses before he had to go. "The West Villas, number five is us. I'll take me longer but I'll meet you?"Ian nodded, swimming backwards. "I'll be there. I love you."Mickey smiled. "Love you too, Ian, stay safe."**"Jesus." Mickey said in amazement as he stared at the front of the Villa, in shock.Compared to the bungalow he stayed in, which was fancier than anything he ever stayed in before, this place was almost unreal. A mansion compared to a trailer.The outside looked like a mansion on the water. Two stories, the front was all windows, showing the lush, extravagant interior. It had a wrap around porch, balcony as well. Mickey could tell just from the outside that if he could afford living in a place like this, he would.Key in hand, Mickey unlocked the door, dumped his bags as well as Iggy, Quinn's and Knox's, on the nearest couch. He didn't care too much about the expensive furniture, or the chandeliers above. He moved right for the back door, just for shock to slap him in the face again.The deck was nearly as big as the house, all glossy wood that slanted on one side that led right into the water. He could see the crystal clear water lapping at the edges, welcoming him in.A full sized pool took up the other end. Not a chlorine pool, but one that also leads right into the water. One side was completely open, making it easy to take a dip in the pool, then swim out into the ocean. Perfect for Ian.Next to the pool was a large tower with a winding staircase that led up to the platform. The platform was the access point to the slide. Like an actual water slide, at least half a mile long, leading far enough away from the porch for it to be safe and very fun.Mickey knew Iggy and the boys would use it to its fullest extent and it had him grinning like he was a kid again, he could already hear the laughter. See the smiles. Their last day and night here would simply be about fun and family. Even when ignoring the danger.Something they hadn't had in forever."This is fantastic."Mickey spun around, smile in place to see Ian sitting on the deck, his tail in the water as the deck slanted into the ocean. "Yeah, I'm loving it already.""I think humans built this with mermaids in mind." Ian gestured to the open deck, then the open pool. "Now I can be a part of it."Mickey instantly emptied his pockets into one lounge chair, kicked off his shoes and moved right to Ian. As he sat down, his hand was on Ian's jaw, leading him into a deep, all consuming kiss.Ian gripped him back, wetting the material of his shirt as he grabbed it, pulling him closer. Mickey went with it, pushing against the side of Ian's tail as the kiss deepened, until they moaned between each kiss, nipping lips."Fuck," Mickey breathed as he pulled back, stroking his thumb over Ian's jaw. "Been wanting that since this morning."Ian moved his hand down Mickey's chest, then slipped under his shirt until he could feel warm skin. "Then why are we stopping?""Because we need to talk," Mickey explained as he eyed his lips, the width of his shoulders and how the sun made his skin glow. "And if we keep kissing, I'll have the incredible urge to make you come again."Ian gasped sharply, nipping at Mickey's bottom lip while he led Mickey's hand to his tail. "I want it.""I want it, too." Mickey put a little pressure against him, making Ian tremble against his side. "But let's hold off, yeah?" Ian nodded and he moved his hand. "Otherwise we won't get anything done."Ian smiled as he kissed him lightly, then moved back, putting a decent amount of space between them. "And I still want to talk."Mickey smiled as well, turning to face him as a wave washed up, soaking his jeans. "And I still want to know."With that said, a silence spread around them. Mickey wanted to ask questions, to comment on the few things Ian told him about all of it, but didn't want to push and wanted Ian to go at his own pace, to tell the story his way."Before I start, just keep in mind that this was a long time ago." Ian started, a little nervous. "I wasn't how I am now. I hadn't learned all the lessons I needed to make me who I am."Mickey held out his hand, patiently waiting until Ian offered his own hand, linking them. "I'm not here to judge, Ian, I just want to understand. To know.”Ian nodded, licking his lips nervously. "As odd as it sounds, this story, or tragedy, as I like to call it, is a love story."Mickey kept his mouth shut. Even when the idea of anyone else loving Ian made him murderous. He wasn’t there to judge, but to listen, to understand."I met him over a hundred years ago. Before humans tried to kill my kind, mermaids liked humans very much. It was a different world then, with different views and there were more good people than bad. We could live life together, in peace, in safety."Mickey nodded, squeezing his hand."I met this guy, he was nice." Ian shifted uncomfortably. "He was on the beach one day when was close to land. At first, I stayed away, but he saw me one day and he was easy to talk to."God, this was the ex's talk. Mickey only just now realized and he almost asked Ian to stop, but that wouldn't be fair. He loved Ian, Ian loved him, all that other stuff was in the past."It was simple for a while. We met and talked, shared our current lives and experiences." Ian smiled fondly at the memory until the rest surfaced and his smile slipped. "It turned into more, but the distance was hard. I couldn't be on land, he couldn't stay on the water, so we kinda knew it wouldn't end well."Mickey flinched, looking down at their hands. Moments later, his chin was being lifted by Ian's fingers, softly moving over his jaw."Don't think like that, Mickey." Ian pleaded softly. "He is not you. You're better than he was, in every sense of that word."Mickey smiled and kissed his palm. "I'm okay, Ian. You don't have to do that. Just tell me."Ian nodded and contained. "One day, when we met, he asked me if it was possible to be with him on land, if I would." Ian took a deep breath. "I said yes because I thought what we had was love. Little did I know, it was infatuation. Not with him, but with being human.""Yeah, I can understand that." Mickey was pleased when Ian smiled."I could see how incredible the world was, but I was trapped in the water. I wanted to experience the world, the world he made seem so amazing." Ian saw his hand shake and Mickey gripped it tighter. "He showed me pictures and things from land that I could never get on my own."Mickey smiled because that sounded like his Ian. So curious. But unlike now, he wasn't afraid then. He wanted to be a part of his world, of their world."The best thing about the human world, was a globe full of slow." Ian grinned when Mickey tilted his head. "Do you know what those are? They are tiny little worlds trapped inside glass. You shake it and snow falls, or glitter, or whatever is inside."Mickey laughed happily. "You mean a snow globe?" Ian's eyes sparkled with excitement. "And yeah, they are pretty incredible."Ian grew excited just because Mickey understood. "He showed me one once. It was the island we were on, a tiny palm tree inside with a poorly shaped treasure chest on the sand. But I loved it because it had a mermaid inside."God, Ian was so fucking adorable."It was a girl. She had a purple tail and yellow hair." Ian sighed wistfully. "I know it seems silly, but it was that...snow globe?" He asked, making sure he said it right and when Mickey nodded, he grinned. "It made me want to see more. To learn more. So, I needed to get out of the water.""I know you mentioned a curse before." Mickey said softly, noticing when Ian's eyes shifted to his for a moment before he nodded. "Was it him?"Ian nodded again. "He said he could help me, that he could get me out of the water for good. I didn't believe him, not even when he told me to meet him the night after.""Was he a witch or something, or is that even real?" Mickey asked Ian as much as himself. "Magic?""I'm not really sure how it worked. It was all a little confusing to be honest." Ian admitted easily. "When I showed up, there was a big fire going. He was dressed oddly, in a robe of some sort. He had all these items in a circle, and he kept chanting in a language I've never heard before."That sounded very witchy. The fire, the robe, objects in a circle and the chanting most of all. But Just because mermaids were proven to be real didn't mean that witches were real. No one ever encountered one like they had a mermaid, there was no proof."What happened?" Mickey asked softly."It hurt." Ian whispered, remembering the feeling. "Way worse than what you witnessed. It hurt so bad that I passed out."Mickey sighed deeply, bringing their hands up to kiss Ian's fingers. He hated knowing that Ian was in any kind of pain, especially when just talking about it seemed to hurt him."When I woke up, my tail was gone and I had legs." Ian smiled a little. "It was incredible, even with the pain. He told me that I was human now, that we could be together.""And you got to see land." Mickey offered with a smile.Ian nodded happily. "I did. I got to see the entire island. I got to see people walking around, kids, animals with no tails."Mickey chuckled."I slept in a bed, a real bed with soft blankets. I woke up next to him but I couldn't wait to get away."Mickey's smile turned into a frown. "You didn't want to be with him?""I thought I did. I liked him, more than my kind. But I finally had legs and wanted to go see everything. I never wanted it to stop, and he didn't want to do much of that.""What did he want you to do?" Mickey asked, clenching his teeth.Ian shook his head. "I don't know his true intentions, but whatever it was, I didn't want it. I think he liked me because of how I look. He wanted to do things, to touch as you and I do."The growl was trapped in his throat. Mickey had to remind himself that this wasn't Ian's fault and he didn't want to make him feel ashamed of anything he did, or didn't do."It seemed like that's all he wanted." Ian continued. "Even when he said he loved me.""I'm sorry." Mickey said softly. "Some people just do things to get what they want, instead of what the other person needs."Ian agreed sadly. "After that, we grew apart. We only fought, half of which I didn't understand what it meant or why we fought. He was always angry, telling me he made a mistake."It was a good thing that guy was probably dead right about now. Or he'd have the mind to track him down and beat the fuck out of him for treating Ian that way."It got so bad that I didn't want to have legs anymore. He ruined how I pictured land, and humans. He turned it from something wonderful into a dark, angry place." Ian wiped his face, surprised he was crying even after all that time. "I just wanted to go home."Mickey moved over, putting his arm around Ian's shoulders and hugged him tightly to his side. "And I'm betting he didn't like that."Ian shook his head, nuzzling Mickey's chest. "He told me that what he did for me was a gift and if I wanted to act like it was a curse, that he'd make it one.""He made it so you could go back into the water." Mickey said as he glanced at his tail. "But forced you to have legs for a while."With a nod, Ian shut his eyes and led Mickey's hand to his side, making Mickey hug him. And he did. Mickey tightened his arms, keeping him safe. "I didn't know until the following morning. I was out looking for my family when it happened. I had to swim for the surface as water burned in my lungs, drowning me.""Shhh," Mickey slowly rocked them back and forth, feeling Ian shaking as he cried."I wanted to die when it happened. And I think he only did it because he wanted me to go back to him, to see that I made a mistake.""You didn't." Mickey said quickly. "He was a greedy son of a bitch and didn't deserve you, Ian.""I'm happy you think so." Ian turned into his chest, kissing it through his shirt. "I knew then that he never loved me. And in a way, I knew that from the start because I didn't love him like that either. But I changed after that, I wasn't the same person I was.""Did you find your family?" Mickey asked because he knew that some life experiences were necessary to grow and evolve, even when it was bad, even when it hurt.Ian sniffled, moving back until he could see Mickey's concerned look. "They were dead when I found them."Mickey's eyes widened."They were hunted by a group of humans on a ship." Ian had to stop before that sob lodged in his throat worked its way out. "When we shared our stories, I told him about my family, where we came from. He used it to hurt me, and told other humans where they could find monsters."Mickey cupped his face, trying not to cry as Ian's tears slowly slid down his cheeks. "Oh baby, I'm so sorry." He put their heads together, wishing he could make it better somehow."It was a long time ago, Mickey and I learned my lesson trusting humans which is why I am the way I am now." Ian put his hands over Mickey's, squeezing a little. "But you showed me they can be good. That they are capable of love and family, of happiness."The first round of tears worked their way out slowly, even as he smiled at Ian's heartfelt sentiment. "Because with you, that's all I've ever felt. No anger or pain, just love. Just happiness and I never want it to end.""Fuck." Mickey whispered before he kissed him. It was gentle but probably more passionate than any of their other ones. He pulled back, wiped Ian's tears again. "I am full of both anger and pain Ian. I have a past too, not as bad as that, but it's not a pretty story."Ian wiped Mickey's tears away. "I have yet to see those things from you.""Because you make me better. You make me happy like no one else has. I don't feel angry when I'm with you." Mickey smiled when Ian did. "I can't promise what you and I have will always seem so easy, but I would never hurt you.""I know, Mickey.""I would never make you choose who you are, over being with me." Mickey continued just so Ian knew he was different. "I just want you to be happy. I want you to smile and swim and I want to see you whenever it's possible."Ian laughed a happy, watery sound.Mickey laughed too, the entire mood changing into something warm and familiar as it always seemed to be with them. "And if I had it my way, I'd spend forever in the water with you."At that, Ian's laugh died off, his eyes a little wide and watery again, but he was smiling. "If I had it my way, I'd want that, too."Without hesitation, Mickey pulled his shirt off, his skin prickling when Ian made an appreciative sound, then leaned back to wiggle out of his jeans."Not that I'm complaining," Ian licked his lips as Mickey's thighs split wide enough to kick off his jeans. "But what are you doing?"Now in only his boxers, Mickey easily slid down the ramp and into the cool water. He ducked down, wetting his hair and when he came back up, Ian was grinning at him."Swim with me." Mickey said but didn't give him a choice. He gently gripped the base of Ian's tail and pulled him into the water. Ian let him, laughing until the water swallowed them both down.Holding his breath, Mickey watched Ian swim deeper, out of sight but he didn't come back up. Mickey had to, he breached the surface and took a big breath just as Ian sailed out of the water at least four feet, flipped and managed a perfect dive as he landed."Show off." Mickey smiled as Ian came back up and pulled him close by the band of his boxers. "Just wait til I get on that slide, hmm? I can show you a flip.""You started it." Ian smiled, both of his arms wrapping around Mickey's shoulders. "Draggin me into the water."Mickey shrugged. "Seemed like the thing to do at the time." His arms wrapped around Ian's waist, trusting him to keep them above water. "Now kiss me."Ian kissed him. They both couldn't stop smiling, laughing even. Their teeth scraped together, which only made them smile and laugh harder and the painful story of Ian's past slipped to the back of their mind.Just as Mickey intended. It didn’t change it, nothing ever could. The pain was there, his family was still dead and Ian was still under that curse. But Mickey made sure to show him, to tell him, how much he loved him, how blessed he was just to be around him. To be loved by him."I'm surprised your humans aren't here." Ian said after the kiss, looking up into the empty house."They went out for a while, but they'll be back for dinner. And speaking of, would you like to stay for it?"Ian tilted his head. "Stay for dinner?"It had Mickey's smile widening. "Yes, stay for dinner. Gonna cook up some food, deal with them being drunk and crazy. And I want you to stay.""Do they want that too?" Ian asked carefully."Iggy was excited you were gonna be there, but he said he had a few questions." Mickey watched the fear cascade through Ian's smile. "Nothing invasive. But they've never seen a mermaid before."Ian shook the look away. "I guess that makes sense.""You don't have to answer anything you don't want to." Mickey assured with a smile. "I'm sure Iggy just wants to know if you have any girl mermaids for him."Ian laughed. "I do know some, but I'm not sure he can handle it.""No, definitely not. So, you want to?""I do." Ian answered as he kissed Mickey's nose. "As long as you're with me I wanna do all of it.""I'm glad." Mickey leaned in for a kiss, one that started off slowly but at the end it had him gripping Ian's shoulders, panting into his mouth. "Then after we can go to your spot?"Ian licked his lips. "Yeah, it's not far from here and you can drive to the beach and walk the rest of the way."They broke apart and swam a little, staying close. "Do I need to bring anything?"Ian narrowed his eyes. "Well, we'll be there overnight. So, just what you might need until then. Clothes or food, water maybe."Unlike their last trip, Mickey had a feeling this would be rather smooth. Just them, he was able to leave at any time and not worry about Noah taking his boat again."Sounds good." Mickey smiled again and splashed water towards Ian. The small wave brushed against chin, making him smile. "Oh shit, I almost forgot something.""Oh no. Is it bad?" Ian asked, worried."No, not at all. I meant to show you last night but with all the stuff we did…" He paused, responsible for the heat that rose to both their faces. "I kinda spaced it.""What is it?"Mickey swam to the dock, pulling himself up until only his legs dangled in the water. Ian swam in front of him. "I left it inside. Gonna run and go get it."Ian nodded, bending to kiss his knee quickly. "I'll be here."Mickey leaned down enough to kiss him, then got up and moved in wet boxers through the nice house until he reached his bags. He pushed all the clothes away, bathroom items too until he found a small chest. He grabbed it, opened the lid to make sure it was all there, then closed it and headed back outside."Okay, so it's kind of a surprise." Mickey said as he walked outside, the chest hidden behind his back. Ian was sitting on the deck like before, smiling at him. "So, you have to close your eyes."Ian's eyes closed instantly. "I'm not sure I like surprises if I can't see it."Mickey sat down beside him, bringing the box to his lap. "It adds to the suspense.""When can I open them?""Just a second." Mickey turned to face him fully, that way when Ian looked down, he would see it instantly. "Okay, you can open them."With a smile, Ian opened his eyes and looked right into excited blue eyes. "My my," Ian brushed Mickey's wet hair back. "My human is beautiful.""Oh, stop." Mickey laughed. "I am not the surprise." He held the chest up a little until Ian glanced down. "This is."Ian gasped as he looked down at the chest. "Oh, a smaller version of a treasure chest. I like those very much." Ian moved closer, studying the box from all angles. "Normally there is gold inside, or coins, gems, cups too which is odd. Why is a cup a treasure?"Mickey chuckled. "Ian, you think shells are treasures.""Of course they are. They're from the sea, not just dumped into it." He said as if Mickey should know that. "Each one is different and beautiful."Mickey leaned forward to kiss him, even as he kept ranting about shells. "I love it, baby."Ian blushed. "Is this one full of human treasures?"Mickey shook his head. "Nope. All that's inside came from the ocean. I bought the little box this morning to hold them all so they didn't get lost."Ian wiggled closer. "I'm excited!!"Mickey slowly opened the lid and watched Ian's entire face light up with a new kind of excitement. Inside the box were all of Ian's treasures from his underwater cave. He grabbed them when Ian had been away, just because that location was lost and Ian hadn't given them a second thought."These are mine." Ian gasped softly as the tips of his fingers touched the coins. "I thought I lost them."Mickey shook his head. "I grabbed them when you were gone. I didn't want you to forget about them."Ian wiped his eyes, looking away from the box and into beautiful kind eyes. "I had forgotten them. I was so worried that I just left when we could."It was precious how Ian cried over it. How sad, and lovely at the same time. The smallest things meant the most. He cried over rusty coins and a few broken shells, even the gems weren't in good condition, but it was Ian's and he loved them. He left them willingly to save him, to save both of them."You can keep the box if you'd like." Mickey finally replied and handed the box to him. Ian's hands shook. "It's not safe to go back, and I think I knew that before I grabbed them."Ian closed the box and held it to his chest as the tears fell. He was so happy and grateful to have them back. Inawe of the fact that Mickey selflessly gave them over, saved them just because he liked them. "I don't know what to say." Ian said after a minute but the tears distorted his words. "I've lost some before and I was sadder than I should have been.""You don't have to say anything, Ian." Mickey kissed Ian's cheek. "And if I lost something like that, something that meant as much as those do for you, I'd be sad too."Ian gently set the box down and practically threw himself into Mickey's arms. He squeezed him hard, kissing over the side of his neck. "Thank you so much."Mickey hugged him back, one hand smoothing red hair down. "You're welcome.""God." Ian's breath hiccuped as he pulled back and cupped Mickey's face. "This is way better than that snow globe."Mickey grinned. It had to have been the most powerful comment he'd ever received and it produced a smile just as powerful. "I have one more surprise for you, but it's not a snow globe."Ian wiped the tears away. "Another one? But you already gave me one.""Yes I did." Mickey held the other in his fist behind his back. "But you gave me that scale and I never gave you something back and now I want to.""I guess you're right." Ian said because he knew Mickey would give it to him no matter what. "It won't fit in here?" He eyed the box.Mickey shook his head. "It's a little bigger than the box and this is something you wear." He pulled it from behind his back, showing it to him. "You know what it is?"Ian's eyes were wide again as he looked over it. "It's a small clock."With a big smile, Mickey nodded. "Kind of. It's a watch." He held it out for Ian to see.It wasn't like those big clunky watches men like to buy. But it wasn't one that Mandy might buy either. It was in between and perfect for Ian. It was gold plated, with a medium sized band that had little white gems spaced around it. The face of the watch was an oval shape, with delicate ticking hands in the center."It's beautiful." Ian reached out to touch it but took his hand back. "You want me to have it?"Mickey nodded and took it off the base. "Saw it this morning and instantly thought about you." His face saddened because this was about as girlie and sentimental as he could possibly get."It's ticking." Ian turned his ear to it, listening. "I know it tells time but I never learned how."Mickey quickly explained the easiest way to tell the time. Showing him which each hand meant. Ian could already tell the time from the sun or the moon, but Ian hadn't looked away from it."Best thing about it is that it's waterproof." Mickey smiled when Ian looked a little skeptical. "Promise. You can take it under water with you and not worry about it getting ruined.""Can I put it on?" Ian asked, his wrist already extended. "It's very shiny."With a happy chuckle, Mickey quickly undid the little clasp in the back and wrapped it around Ian's wrist. "Yeah, it is. But I happen to know you like all things shiny."Ian blushed and turned his wrist to look at it as soon as Mickey was done. He slowly watched the little hands tick by, over and over again. "It's very soothing.""I'm glad." Mickey thumbed his cheek until Ian leaned into it. "It might help with the times we have to meet."Ian agreed with a smile. "You're too sweet, Mickey. Thank you, I think it's wonderful."When Ian moved closer, putting one palm against his chest as he pushed him down to the deck, he went with it. Moving until Ian was hovering over him, his tail lined up with his legs."I would like to say thank you." Ian's voice was low as he looked at Mickey's lips. "Or show you."Mickey groaned and moved one arm to grip Ian's back, holding him tight. "You don't have to do that."Ian propped up over him, one arm under Mickey's neck, the other low on his side. "And if I want to?" He asked as he dipped his head down to kiss over his neck. "Then what?"The simple touch alone was enough to make him hard and he knew Ian could feel it. "Then there is no way I can stop you." Mickey groaned, his hand moving down to Ian's lower back. Not on that spot, but close to it.Ian's mouth moved to his ear, sucking on it softly until Mickey groaned. "I want to use my mouth again.""Fuck." Mickey groaned, his hips pushing up against Ian's tail. There was no end to how fucking much he wanted him. It even surprised him, but wouldn’t get in his way. "You really want to?"Ian was already moving down as he nodded, kissing Mickey's chest, licking the water off his skin. "I loved seeing you like that."Mickey's head was heavy as he rose up on his elbows and glanced down. Ian's hands were on his sides, his mouth moving eagerly across his hips. "I can't wait until I can give you the same thing."Ian groaned, closing his eyes. "I'm not sure I'd be able to handle that." A wave rushed around him and his eyes opened enough to watch the watch get covered. And still it worked. He glanced up to see Mickey smiling. "Yeah, I need to say thank you."Mickey spread his legs, unable to say no, even when he knew it still wasn't fair. "Okay, but after I'm gonna get you."Ian groaned this time, rubbing his face against him, his fingers hooked into his clothes. "Can you use your mouth again?"One hand moved into Ian's hair, gripping it lightly. "Oh yeah, anything you want.""Jesus!!"Mickey managed to twist his head back long enough to see Iggy standing at the door, a horrified look on his face. Mickey groaned and dropped back to the deck, pulling Ian up with him."You have the worst fucking timing." Mickey grouched, letting Ian hide in his neck when his face flamed. "Knocking would be nice."Iggy snorted, arms crossed over his chest. "Well, my fucking bad. If I knew it was blow job time, I'd have brought someone to blow me.""Just give us a second, yeah?" He glanced at Iggy, then to Ian who still wouldn't look up. "Please.""Fine. One fucking minute and if that's all it takes I'm gonna be seriously disappointed."Mickey didn't reply to that. He only waited for the door to close before he rolled Ian over onto his back so he could see him. "Sorry. He really does have bad timing."Ian nodded, smiling shyly. "At least he didn't actually see anything."Mickey smiled too, leaning down for a kiss. "If he did, I'd have hit him. Don't want anyone seein you like that. That's only for me.""Later?" Ian asked, liking his answer."Yeah," Mickey sat up, helping Ian sit up beside him. "Definitely later. Hungry?"Ian's eyes roamed the front of Mickey's bare chest, forcing him to lick his lips before he answered. "Yeah, starving."
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
The Devil's Triangle
Chapter 12- Human "They are really loud."Mickey tightened his arm around Ian, pulling him closer as they sat in the pool. "Yeah, they are but that's because they started drinking."Just as he said it, Iggy went sailing off the slide, hovering in midair for a moment before he crashed into the water. "And the slide, that's half the reason." Mickey grinned.Iggy came up, laughing as he swam back to the dock."It does look fun." Ian smiled, looking up to the tower. "Are you gonna go?""Not at the moment. I like it right where I am." His voice grew deep, heated. Ian gave that shy smile, eying his lips.After Iggy interrupted Ian trying to blow him, they put a lock on their libidos and helped get everything set up. From the food being brought from inside to the outside table, drinks, music from Quinn's boombox, it was enough to distract them from each other.Ian offered to help, even if the only thing he could actually do was sit on the deck and watch. Mickey declined the offer with half a dozen kisses and made sure to do his best to hurry so he could get back to Ian.It moved along fast, which was surprising considering Iggy didn't help. Knox was in charge of the grill and the food, Quinn supplied the beer and smokes, keeping them from getting wet. Iggy made his way to the slide before he could even take the first drink of his beer and Mickey was happily relaxing in the pool with Ian nearly on his lap.For them being from different worlds, only meeting under the worst circumstances, it was working. The guys introduced themselves, as did Ian, and he hadn't sounded afraid when he talked to them. The guys did their best not to stare at him for too long, but stole looks when they could. He couldn’t blame them.It was nice, friendly. Mickey couldn't have been happier about it."I like it too."Ian's voice pulled him from his surroundings, to the soft sound of his voice next to him. "Wish you could go up though. I think you'd go way higher than Iggy would."Grinning, Ian glanced at Iggy. "I might, but someone would have to carry me and that wouldn't work."Mickey shrugged. "Quinn is a big guy, Knox too, bigger than me or Iggy. I'm sure they'd be able to do it.""I'm bigger than you." Iggy flipped them off as he walked across the deck, eyes set on the slide."Yeah sure, keep thinkin that." Mickey joked, making Ian laugh into his ear. Then he turned his attention back to their discussion. "Wanna ask em?"Ian shook his head. "My tail is way too long and I'm heavier this way. And I'm not sure I want them to toss me over their shoulder like that."An irritated sound worked its way up his throat. Even from his spot across the deck, Mickey could see how massive Quinn's arms were. Bigger than one of his thighs and he would be more than capable of tossing Ian over his shoulder.But no. Fuck no. The images that came after that initial toss moved through his mind like plague. Putting him on edge. "Yeah, no. Forget that shit." Mickey clenched his jaw, making Ian's eyes narrow in confusion. "No way in hell is he tossing you anywhere, especially not over his shoulder."Quinn looked up from the grill, watching them from behind dark tinted glasses."Not like that, Mickey." Ian gave a little laugh and reached to cup his face, turning it towards him. "Never like that with anyone besides you.""I sure as hell hope not." Mickey let his touch soak into his cheek, sinking down into his bones. "Talk about something else.""Save the nasty talk, please?" Knox begged, then motioned to the entire table of beers. "At least until we drink this shit and won't remember it.""I'd never talk to him like that with you assholes around." Ian tensed beside him, hiding a little in his neck. "I'd wait until we were alone so you couldn't see how much he blushes."Iggy did what he always did, he gagged."Oh, shut it," Mickey tossed his bottle cap at him, happy when it bounced off his head before it landed. "I gotta listen to you all and your girlfriends or fuck buddies or one night stands. Droning on about shit I don't care about, at least you can do the same.""Mickey…""Not that I'd tell them." Mickey finished quickly, reassuring him. "Wouldn't give them that image cuz it's for us.""Gay." Iggy muttered, but ended up laughing. "Food done yet? I'm starving.""It'll be done in a minute. Just sit down before I let you starve." Quinn shooed him with the heavy duty spatula.Mickey ignored Iggy and Quinn, focusing on Ian and the hand on his thigh, shockingly close to his groin. He couldn’t help that his mind always slipped into the darker side, always tempting him. "You okay?""Yeah, why?" Ian asked with a smile.Mickey glanced down, making Ian follow his lead. "Just making sure. Wandering hands?"Blushing hotly, Ian moved his hand down Mickey's leg. "Sorry.""I didn't say move it." Mickey moved it back up, pressing his hand over Ian's hard to keep it there. "I like it there. I was just asking.”That shy smile remained on his lips. "Maybe we should swim? That way I won't be tempted to do it again."Mickey leaned over until his mouth was close to Ian's. "Please, be tempted. We never got to finish what we started.""What I started.""Yes, what you started." Without making the water slosh around, Mickey pushed Ian's hand the rest of the way up his leg until the tips of his fingers brushed his groin. "Fuck, I love when you touch me."At that, Ian pulled him into a kiss with one hand tangled in his hair. Mickey came willingly, arching up to reach his lips, turning his body more towards Ian. Offering himself without a second thought."Come swim with me." Ian said as Mickey sucked on his bottom lip. "I wanna touch you."With a twist of his hips, Ian's hand slid up the rest of the way until his palm was covering his cock. They let out identical groans. "You are touching me."Ian breathed deeply, shaking his head. "We can go under the house where they can't see us.""And what would we do under there?" Mickey asked, canting his hips up to rub against his hand.Ian gave a wicked smile. "I can use my mouth, just like I was trying to do. And I can breathe underwater.""Fuck."Images of Ian blowing him under the water nearly had him sinking to the bottom of the pool. It would be easy to tread water while Ian takes care of him, unable to be seen or interrupted. But even under the deck it was still risky."Please?" Ian nipped at his ear, pulling it with his teeth. "I miss the way you taste."A desperate sounding groan worked its way up, altering the others. All eyes moved to them and Mickey forced himself to stay still and not grind against Ian's hand. It was too hard to resist."Come on, Mick." Iggy pleaded, hands clasped together in front of him, begging him. "Try and hold off.""You have no idea how hard I'm trying." Mickey whimpered from the painfully good nips Ian took at his neck. Then his jaw. "God.""Ian, please!!" Iggy pleaded with him as well. "Food first, then sex?"Ian pulled out of his neck, smiling proudly at them. "Food first, then sex." He agreed.Mickey sagged back against the poolside, itching with the need for more. Eager for it. Wanting nothing more than to skip the food part and head out to Ian's spot and be alone. That’s all they both seemed to want lately."Thank fuck." Iggy grabbed two fresh beers and moved to the pool. "Here."When Mickey didn't move to grab them, Ian swam to the other side quickly. Making Iggy gasp, eyes wide. "I'm not sure I'll like this." Ian eyes the golden liquid, then smelled the top."It's good, trust me."Ian took them both and swam to Mickey's side, handing one off. "Is it really good?"Mickey popped both tops, shrugging. He took a long drink and could feel Ian watching him, eyes curious. "Yes and no. The more you drink the better it tastes but not everyone likes it."Ian sniffed the bottle again, scrunching his nose."You don't have to. He was just being nice." Mickey could drink both beers if Ian didn’t want it. Wouldn’t take but a few minutes but Ian seemed to be contemplating it."I kinda want to."Mickey took another drink, watching Ian watch his throat as he swallowed. He didn't taste it and it didn't quench his thirst."Food!" Quinn yelled, an arm full of food and a beer dangling between his fingers, and closed the grill and walked to the large table in the center."I'm not sure I like it." Ian said after he took a drink, eying the clear bottle, then took another drink."Just drink it slow. Your body is gonna have zero tolerance for that." Mickey set his bottle down and stood, putting Ian eye level with his left hip. And other places. He hadn’t meant to, but it happened."Mickey, I thought we had to eat first." Ian couldn't take his eyes away."We do, which is what I'm going to get." Mickey was smiling so hard his cheeks hurt. "Swim to the other end and I'll bring it, yeah?"Ian swam around until he was directly in front of him, looking all the way up. Green eyes full of mischief. "I'm not really hungry for food."That ache flared up in his body again, mostly coming from neglected parts of his anatomy. As good as blow jobs were, Mickey was a bottom for a reason. He needed his ass played with, even more so than his cock. He just needed it.At some point, with all this sexual tension going on with Ian, Mickey needed to make some alone time to satisfy that other need. Even with Ian's offer to help, he hadn't been able to give in. He didn’t want it to be weird, or make Ian uncomfortable.Mickey reached down, his hand pushing into red hair until he had a firm grip on the back of his neck and pulled Ian's face against his hips, just inches from his cock. "You're tempting me."Ian was busy kissing his way across Mickey's hips, sucking the salt water off his skin. His hands gripped the back of Mickey's legs, squeezing. "You're tempting me, too."For a fleeting moment Mickey thought about pushing his swim shorts down and allowing himself to feel the back of Ian's throat, but there was no way he wanted Iggy and the boys to see Ian like that. Not even if the only thing they saw was bobbing red hair."Later, I promise." His grip tightened, making Ian look up at him.Ian backed up, swimming to the far end. "I'll hold you to that."Mickey made his way to the stairs on shaky legs and climbed out, he grabbed a towel and wrapped it around his hips to hide his erection. "Please do."Iggy and Knox already had their plates. They sat at the table together, not even five feet from Ian and the pool, engrossed in some deep, meaningful conversation. Mickey snatched a towel off one of the chairs and wrapped it around his head, rubbing the water off before he tossed it aside, then walked up to Quinn with a smile."I like him." Quinn grabbed a plate and piled it high with food. Steak, ribs, shrimp, some cooked vegetables and baked potatoes. "It's kinda hard not to stare at him though."Mickey grinned, taking the plate from him. His stomach rumbled loudly. "Yeah, tell me about it. My ass nearly drowned a few times cuz I looked so hard.""Kinda like what Iggy did. Asshole fell right into the water." Quinn snickered, making Mickey laugh."Yeah, Igg has no self control at all. I'm sure he would actually drown if you guys hadn't been there.""I would not!" Iggy yelled with his mouthful.Ian just grinned from the pool."I'm sure the moment we all sit down, they're gonna be blasting him with questions." Quinn gave him a knowing look."I know. And a few are fine but this is not going to turn into an interrogation. He has a hard time trusting humans with sensitive shit like that. We aren’t going to spook him.”Quinn's eyebrows rose. "Did something happen? Aside from Noah, I mean.""Yeah, some bad shit. He told me before you guys showed up." Mickey heard Ian's laugh above Knox's deep grumble. Ian was laughing at something he said, or did and Mickey had to smile too. "Just try and keep them to a minimum, yeah?""It's not me you gotta worry about, Mickey."He gripped Quinn's shoulder, squeezing. "Yeah, I know. Come on."By the time Mickey made it to the table, the laughter died down and Knox went back to eating. Ian sat on the ledge of the pool with his tail dangling in the water, taking up nearly half of the pool."I just wanted to warn you, in a few seconds my colors will change." Ian said quietly, his tail slowly moving from side to side.Mickey sat down next to him and glanced up at the sky. Darkness was pushing the sun away, showing them a few stars before it would be completely dark. Ian’s colors would change and it could be a little much for just anyone to witness. Especially guys with no self control."Do you need to swim away for it?" Mickey asked, looking over to his friends. “If you don’t want them to see it, I mean.”"Not normally. Unlike my other change, this one doesn't hurt. I just don't want them to freak out.""I can tell them, give them a heads up?" Mickey offered and put his hand on Ian's tail. Slowly running it down, with the scales, soothingly. "Whatever you want to do.”Ian lifted his tail, watching the remaining sunlight shine off of them. "We probably should, just in case.""Yeah, I think so too." Mickey tipped his head up for a kiss or two, then bumped their noses together before he turned to announce it. "Hey guys?"All three of them looked up, mouths stuffed, the talking and laughter dying down. Beside him, Ian turned enough so the upper part of his tail was out of the water, shimmering under the sunset."In a few seconds, Ian's tail is going to change colors." Their eyes widen. "He just wanted to give you a warning."Iggy swallowed quickly, almost choking before he washed it back with beer. "Like from yellow to blue, like the other night?""Yeah. We know you saw both colors but you didn't actually watch the change." Mickey squeezed Ian's hand when he pressed it into his side. "It's nothing major or but no screeching like girls or anything.""Can we watch?" Knox asked, rising up from the table.Mickey turned to Ian, who took a moment but nodded. "Yeah, just don't touch and can that overexcitement shit."Iggy groaned. "Jesus, fine. It's not like we're watchin him strip.""It's happening." Ian said loud enough for all of them to hear. He moved his tail over, giving them a good look."Holy shit!! Knox cursed, eyes wide.Mickey didn't watch the change, even when watching yellow change to blue and green was something he always wanted to see. Instead he made sure the others didn't freak out, or scream, or flock towards him. So far so good, but Quinn surprised him by coming closer."Does it hurt?" Quinn asked quietly."Not really. I'm sure it used to but it's been happening so long I don't notice." Ian swished it around, like he shook the colors off into the water."Why does it change in the first place?" Iggy asked this time, he also moved closer.As the questions started to roll in, Mickey would leave it up to Ian to answer them in his own way, with his own words or if he wanted to answer at all. Of course Ian looked at him at each question, possibly looking for support.Mickey always answered with a soft smile, which Ian returned, then answered."It changes to keep us safe." Ian paused as all eyes moved from his now blue tail, up to meet his eyes. "Humans, hunters; if they are looking for one mermaid but see another, then another, all with changing colors, it makes it hard to track.""Wow, that makes a lot of sense." Iggy smiled. "Don't need to give those assholes a leg up on this."Mickey grinned."They seem to have enough help catching and killing us, so I ask that you keep this...and all I tell you, to yourself."The warning was there, even in the soft, gentle way Ian said it. Mickey couldn't help but be proud that Ian warned them, just to make sure he was safe and if the boys ever told anyone, he knew he could deal with it if Ian didn't. He was brave and fierce."Yeah, of course." They answered together, again making Mickey smile."Thank you." Ian smiled at them, then leaned his head against Mickey's shoulder and said it to him as well, for his ears only."Anytime." Mickey whispered back and kissed the side of Ian's temple. When he glanced up, all eyes were on him, wide, their mouths open a little. "What?""N-nothing." Iggy cursed as he stuttered. "I'm just not used to seeing you open."Mickey rolled his eyes. "You act like I don't have a gentle bone in my body.""Uh…" Iggy just trailed off, but everyone got his point. "Mickey, I'm your cousin and I've never seen you like this.""Because Ian is different." Mickey snapped, hoping that they all kept their traps shut on his less than impressive sex life. "Doesn't take a rocket scientist to realize that shit."Ian grinned, trying to push it away by biting his lip but he was more than pleased with that answer.Yes, it was weird for him to be in a relationship at all. To be close to someone specifically, but a man? None of them had even known much about his sex life. Iggy might have had a clue since they were family, but he never dared ask, or suggest anything. Knox had been his best friend his entire life, so he might also have an idea, but again chose not to mention it. Now it was all out in the open, no more hiding, no more denying anything.Noah had outed him to his friends, that much was true, but even if he hadn’t, being close to Ian, caring around him, would have spoken for itself."Yeah, that's becoming clear." Iggy smiled, no longer surprised, but looking as if he should have realized it sooner, then did and couldn't stop smiling. "So, how's this work then?"Ian's head tilted. "How does what work?"Mickey shook his head. "That is not what we are talking about."Iggy huffed. "Why not? It's a good question. I don't wanna know who catches or anything shit, he has a tail."Mickey looked over in time to see Ian's eyes widen. His mind finally pieced together the meaning behind Iggy's words and clearly he didn't think they'd be asked that question."What he has is none of your business." Mickey hissed, moving closer to Ian like he was about to mark his territory. "You don't ask for details, man. Don't ask, don't fucking tell.""That rule applies for hook-ups man. I don't wanna know about that." Iggy looked from side to side, getting curious looks in return. "I know how all that normal gay shit works, but again, he has a tail.""Stop talking about his tail." Mickey snapped, wanting to reach over and block the beautiful sight from them. "And that shit is between me and Ian. You don't need to know.""Obviously intercourse is not possible like this." Ian surprised everyone by saying. His voice calm, his emotions under control. "But there are other things to do."Mickey looked away from Ian to see all three of them practically on their knees like it was story time at school. Eyes wide, ears wide open, eager to hear whatever Ian had to say.It was hard to tell if it was the words Ian chose to say, or the way he said it, or if it was just that pull again, pulling all three of them closer. Either way, Mickey didn't like it. Not one bit."And as Mickey said, that is for the both of us to enjoy and explore." Ian smiled, enjoying their defeated looks and Mickey's radiant smile. "It's not polite to ask such intimate things.""No, it's not." Mickey waves his hand in front of their eyes, attempting to break them out of the trance. He snapped, making them blink and glance around. "Self control guys, seriously."Two of them moved back, shaking their heads to clear them, to think about what happened and how to keep it from happening again. Quinn on the other hand didn't seem to realize he was inches away from touching Ian's tail.Mickey reached out so fast and gripped his thick wrist in a painful hold, only inches from Ian's tail. "What the fuck are you doing?"Ian moved his tail back into the water, surprised by the action itself."What?" Quinn asked, meeting his eyes."Check your hands, man." Mickey looked down and watched Quinn follow. His eyes widened and he took his hand back. "I'd hate to break your wrist before we head out tomorrow but don't do that shit again.""I'm sorry, Mickey." Quinn said before he looked at Ian. "I'm sorry. I don't know what happened."Ian blushed, then tried to swipe it off his cheeks by rubbing it against his shoulder. "It's okay. Just an accident.""I don't even remember moving."Mickey let out the breath he'd been holding and tried to calm that territorial side inside him. "It happens. To all of us.""Damn, Quinn," Iggy punched his arm, wincing when the punch hurt his hand more than anything else. "Just ruin the damn mood while trying to cop a feel."Mickey rolled his eyes. "Least he didn't fall off a boat."The round of laughter seemed to break the tension. Quinn smiled, as did Ian, even when his cheeks still looked a little pink. Why was he blushing so much?It only seemed to happen when Quinn spoke to Ian. Which wasn't often, but maybe he was intimidated? Quinn was one fuck of a big man, even when his personality resembled that of a cuddly puppy."Fuck you," Iggy said even as he grabbed his stomach, cramped from laughing. "We are all gonna fuck up a few times while we get used to this.""Yeah, yeah, whatever." Mickey responded with a smile and wrapped his arm around Ian's shoulders. "Let's eat before more questions.""Wait." Iggy spoke up, getting everyones attention. "You know chicks right? Like girl mermaids?"Ian nodded. "Of course. Why?"Mickey groaned."Think I could meet one?"Quinn and Knox snorted, shaking their heads as they went back to eating. Great. Now Iggy wanted his own mermaid."Why would you want that?" Ian asked, eyes curious.Iggy blushed. "Cuz I think it would be cool to meet one. Maybe she'll like me.""Fat chance." Mickey huffed but Ian lightly slapped his chest."Don't be mean." Ian told Mickey before addressing Iggy again. "And I'm not sure if that's a good idea, Iggy. It's not easy to resist that pull and you haven't done a good job yet.""He fell face first!" Quinn barked out a laugh."You, try and be nice too." Ian deepened his voice and Quinn's laughter died down, then looked at Iggy. "Maybe when you get used to me we can talk about it. I don’t want you to drown."Mickey kissed Ian's temple. Unsure if Ian meant what he said but happy he was being nice about it, like he did everything else. It's just who Ian was.Iggy nodded, a small smile on his face. "Thanks, Ian. Better get to workin on it soon. If they look half as good as you do I'll be in love."When Ian blushed, Mickey growled at him. It seemed to usher Iggy away from them, and back to the table. "You're too nice to him.""I'm always nice, Mickey and I kinda like him. He's nice when he wants to be.""Only you would say that." Mickey kissed him again. "Now can the questions while we eat."They agreed and moved back to the table to eat, poking fun at each other, laughing. Quinn couldn't stop smiling, but blushing as well as giving Ian glances. Harmless, but it had Mickey's skin prickling."Ignore them." Ian cupped Mickey's face, turning it in his direction. "Food?""Yes, food." Mickey kissed his smiling lips and picked the plate up. "Ever eat any of this stuff before?"Ian looked over the plate, head tilted. "I'm not one for meat, it doesn't sit well with my stomach. But I've seen shrimp, alive of course."Laughter bubbled up his chest before he could reply. "Yeah, I guess we didn't think that one through. Fuck, I'm sorry.""No need to be. Everyone has to eat, myself included." Ian picked up a dead shrimp and scrunched his nose, but wiggled it at him. "Open up."His mouth opened and he took the shrimp from Ian's fingers, licking the pads of them on purpose to hear him gasp. Their eyes never wavered from each other as he slowly chewed it, then swallowed.When Mickey offered Ian one, pinched between two of his fingers, he held his breath as Ian's mouth opened, green eyes on him, and took it from them."Fuck." Mickey whispered. Ian had his hand gripped in his own, slowly sucking on his fingertips. "Trying to keep the game honest, hmm? I tease you, you tease me."With a smile, Ian released his hand. "I'll only do to you what you do to me. That's fair, no?""Yeah, that's fair." Mickey breathed heavily and offered Ian another one, nearly vibrating when he repeated the same actions. "I love your mouth.""I can tell."With the shrimp gone, Mickey watched excitedly as Ian grabbed the fork and pushed it into a piece of steak, then moved it to his mouth.Mickey took it, letting his teeth scrape against the fork until goosebumps rolled up both their arms. "Want to try?" He asked after."Better not. It'll make it hard to swim later.""Vegetables then?" Mickey picked up a piece and waited.Ian shrugged. "Couldn't hurt to try."It was torture. Watching Ian eat little pieces from his fingers, his pink tongue always snaking out for a better taste, taunting him, teasing him. It went on between them until the plate was empty."I'm not gonna be able to take much more." Mickey was panting against Ian's lips, so worked up his entire body ached. He never thought he’d get turned on like that while feeding someone. He was definitely lost on Ian. "I need you.""I need you, too." Ian whispered before he kissed him quickly, then slid into the pool, swimming back as he coaxed him forward. "Come here."Mickey dropped the plate and slid into the pool before the words left Ian's lips. He swam to the other side, to Ian waiting there, arms resting back against the length of the pool. The moment he was in reach, Mickey crowded him, getting as close as Ian's tail would allow."I'm here."Ian slipped his hands into the water, rubbing them against Mickey's sides under the water. "Yes you are."Groaning, Mickey pushed his groin against the front of Ian's tail, in need of a little friction. Such a simple touch had his body heating, even in the cool water. “You ask me in here to feel me up?"Ian nodded, eyes drawn to Mickey's chest and how the water dripped down it. "Intimate things are better kept private."The continued chatter behind him let Mickey know they went unnoticed for the moment. They'd catch on quick, probably get one earful too many, and hassle them after. "Feel away." Mickey said just before he kissed him, muffling their moans as their lips met over and over again.Below the water, Mickey could feel Ian's hands start to wander. First at his sides, then down his stomach, then his hips. At that, the moan couldn't be muffled and a deep sound erupted from his chest."Shh, don't let them hear you." Ian said between desperate kisses but never stopped moving his hands lower. "Those sounds are only for me.""Fuck, you know I can't help it." Mickey whined, butting their heads together. "It feels too damn good.""Keep quiet." Was Ian's only response, aside from his sly smile.When Ian's hand went lower, slipping beneath his shorts, Mickey's eyes rolled back and that coming moan got trapped in his throat. Ian handled him with ease, with confidence. Those eager fingers wrapped all the way around him, squeezing perfectly."No noises at all, I'm impressed." Ian grinned."Don't be." Mickey choked out, interrupted by that moan when Ian started stroking him. "The noises are about to come, God.""I want to try something." Ian whispered, still pressed into his lips as they parted. "Can I?"Mickey didn't know what it could possibly be, and to be honest he didn't care. There was nothing he would tell Ian no to, nothing. He wanted it all. "Whatever you want." Mickey began to move, sliding in and out of Ian's closed fist. "Just don't stop.""I won't."The only thing he noticed immediately was Ian undoing the string of his shorts, making them slip down a little. Giving them more room. Then Ian's other hand slid along his hip, then the side of his ass."Ian." Mickey gasped, unable to speak as webbed fingers inched towards his ass, he began to pant, so excited and worked up he couldn’t keep it in. "Ian.""Let me, please?" Ian asked, gripping his butt firmly to make sure he knew. "I'll be careful.""Oh, my God." Mickey whined, his head now tipped up to the dark sky. His entire body was begging for it. Shaking. "I want it so fucking bad but if you do, they'll hear me.""Kiss me then." Ian let his fingers play along the crack of Mickey's butt. "I see how much you need it."His resolve was all but gone. He was hesitant at first due to the boys hearing, or seeing it, but the need was so much greater than any fear of being caught.
"Just for a minute." Mickey finally answered, making Ian smile. "Go slow, one at a time."Ian had always been a quick learner, in all things. This included. To help, Mickey hiked up one leg, letting it rest on Ian's hip, spreading himself."I still think about watching you that night. The look on your face was overwhelming, Mickey." A shiver danced across Ian's body. "How you moved and the response after was just...God, it was incredible.""You talking like that is gonna make me come." Mickey warned, laughing nervously. "Fuck, it could happen at any time.""I better get to it then."At that, they were back on track. With Ian's fingers teasing him, only this time they didn't just tease, but slid between his cheeks, his soft webbed fingertips brushing against his hole."Oh…" Mickey shut his eyes, sinking, drowning in lust over one little touch. "Just like that. Nice and slow.""You're shaking."Mickey's eyes opened, only they were lidded, foggy. "So are you.""From excitement." Ian offered, rubbing over him again. "I want to make you feel as good as you make me.""You have, Ian, you already have." Mickey promised. His hands moved off the poolside, now gripping Ian's wide shoulders. He needed help before his knees buckled. "No one has ever made me feel so good."Ian kissed him, tasting him. "You deserve more.""I want more.""Tell me."Mickey moved one hand back, holding Ian's wrist. Something occurred to him. "Might be hard since your fingers are webbed, but you might be able to.""I have to try.""I know." Mickey said seconds before Ian kissed him again, sucking on his tongue until he groaned.The moment Ian started to add a little pressure, Mickey really hoped he had enough self control to stay quiet. He didn't want Ian to stop because they got caught, but he couldn't stop and leave to be alone either. He was desperate."Fuck. Fuck." Mickey hissed. The tip of Ian's finger was inside him and already it felt better than any of those blow jobs. "Yeah, that's good."Ian kissed across Mickey's exposed jaw, then his throat, sucking the water off him. "You're very tight, Mickey. Squeezing me."His other hand shot down into the water, putting his hand on top of Ian's, which still held his cock and squeezed. Backing his oncoming orgasm down. It was too fucking soon to blow. He was like a virgin all over again."I'm tight because I haven't been fucked in a long time." Mickey regretted the words as they passed his lips. Ian's eyes opened exponentially wide, his head tilting a little. "Fuck. Forget I said that.""No. Tell me." Ian pushed in a little deeper, gasping at the tightness. "Is that what male humans do to other male humans?""Ian…" Mickey whined again."I want to know." Ian said firmly. "I am attracted to the same sex, Mickey but you know intercourse doesn't work like that for my kind. Please tell me. I need to know.”This is not how he wanted to have this talk. Mickey only referenced his preferences a few times and nothing in depth aside from what Ian saw him doing. They had never talked about it before. It was an intense conversation and he was sure he’d have to explain certain things to Ian, to help him understand why or how, where."I want that for you, Mickey." Ian said when he didn't reply with more than heated groans. "If that's what you need, what your body needs, I want to help. Let me do it for you. Let me make you come.”"Fuck Ian," Mickey started to move down, pushing against Ian's finger. He didn’t know why he liked it better than topping but he did. For a long time and that’s just what his body needed. "That's what I need, okay? I need it like that."Ian groaned this time, moving both hands. Giving him twice the pleasure. Temping him in the worst way to say if, or admit it. "Say it. Say it for me so I know.""Shit, shit, shit." Mickey whined, aware that the chatter around them had stopped, which meant they'd been caught. He still didn’t care, he didn’t want it to stop "It needs to wait."Ian looked over his shoulder, surprised to see the humans trying not to watch. Their eyes darted towards them, then away, only to come back again. Like they couldn’t look away. Or wouldn’t try."They already know. Might as well finish it." Ian drew his attention back to Mickey. "I know you're close again."Mickey nodded, groaning through his teeth. "So fucking close.""Then tell me. Please?""Faster." Mickey begged, right on the edge. Ian's hands sped up, the one on his cock blurring under the water, even the finger inside his ass seemed to go deeper, moving fast. "That's it, fuck.""Just say it." Ian went back to kissing his neck, then biting him, feeling that need rising fast in his own body."What I need is you," Mickey was shaking, sweat dripping down his body into the water. "I need you in me, your fingers, your mouth. God, I need your cock in me until I come. Getting in deep, giving me what I need.""Mickey." Ian whispered as his body shook, forcing his eyes to close as it began to wash over him."That's it, baby," Mickey growled softly against Ian's lips. Making sure the others didn’t hear it, or not all of it. "Come for me."As Ian's entire body shook as he came, as he got there from his words alone, Mickey allowed himself to let go. He focused on Ian's heavy breathing in his ear and the feel of both hands on him."Fuuuckk." Mickey couldn't hide how loud his moan was as he came.All he knew was the pleasure he got from it. The kind that knocks you on your ass. The kind that forced you to sleep for hours after. The kind that took your breath away. The kind you'd do anything for."Oh,my." Ian whispered, his hand slowly moving under water.Mickey's shivered when Ian's finger slipped out, leaving him with that sated, but empty feeling. He leaned into Ian as they both breathed together, touching, kissing."You were amazing." Mickey praised, making Ian blush. "I love when you come for me.""Mickey." Ian sighed, a little exasperated. "You didn't even have to touch me. It just happened.""I was going to, but it felt like you'd get there anyway, and you did." Mickey kissed each pink cheek. "I'm pretty sure we have an audience though."Unfocused eyes moved past Mickey's head and caught three pairs of eyes on them. He was about to say something, but they looked away, fidgeting. "They are doing their best not to look."As Mickey fixed his shorts, he glanced behind him. All three of them seemed to try and find something to do aside from stare. Pretending to eat and drink, more drinking than anything. The music even played, even when no one was actually listening. "Pervs.""Us? You're the one doing it out in the open!" Iggy argued back, his cheeks flushed. "Want privacy? Go somewhere private.""We plan to." Mickey turned back to Ian, winking. He had enough of family dinner time. He wanted to be with Ian. In private. "I'm gonna get my stuff together. Wait for me?""Always." Ian leaned in to kiss him. "Hurry though.""I'm going."**"This place is incredible."Mickey parked the rented jeep on the white sand, as close to the side of the cliff as the water would allow. If high tide came in, it would cover the tires. It was very private. He got out and saw Ian in the water."Thank you. Ian smiled proudly as he sat on the beach with his tail in the water. "I found it years ago but not many people come here because the waterfall hides the entrance."From where he stood, only about fifteen feet away from the loud, rushing waterfall, Mickey didn't see an entrance. Just the side of a cliff, with a waterfall that led directly into the ocean. The water hit the rocks and the sand, creating its own little pool before the water rushed out to meet the waves.In the dark, with nothing but the lights from the jeep, Mickey was glad no one expected anything more than a simple, beautiful waterfall. He didn't want to have to share their limited time with anyone who might wander up. Or have to look over their shoulders for Noah. Here, they were completely alone."It doesn't look like a cave." Mickey said as he grabbed the water resistant duffle bag, tossing it over his shoulder before the Jeep locked. "It's fucking beautiful.""Yeah, it is. I can swim under the rocks, and you'll be able to slip around them without getting soaking wet.""I'm good with either." Mickey bent down enough to kiss him before Ian swam out a little to move around the rocks. "Lead the way, my beautiful mermaid."The lights on the jeep shut off, leaving him in temporary darkness. Mickey grabbed the handheld flashlight he put in his pocket and clicked it on to see Ian waiting for him. "I'm coming. Just can't see in the dark.""That's too bad really. The dark is amazing." Ian smiled.On swift feet, mindful of the slippery rocks, Mickey made his way to the mouth of the waterfall. Even this close, he couldn't see anything inside except for the rock wall behind the water."The crack is to the right, you should be able to squeeze in." Ian pointed through the water. "I'm gonna go under unless you want me to wait.""Go ahead, I'm right behind you." Mickey's smile matched Ian's as he slipped below the water, leaving him alone.Mickey sidestepped the water, his back against the rocks until he was behind it. The entrance was there just like Ian said and it took him sucking in his chest to wiggle past it, but he came out the other side smiling."Chest too big?" Ian asked, eyeing it eagerly.Mickey's eyebrow rose in amusement. "Just a little. All that swimming lately buffed me up.""I see that."His eyes left Ian's long enough to take in the inside of the cave. The stream of water Ian swam through lead all the way to the back, as did the jagged path of rocks.
The ceiling looked endless, spanning all the way up the mountain, nearly making it hollow. Even his flashlight didn't allow him to see the top. The walls were soft, almost like when people buff stones to sell in gift shops, a mix of colors from the darkest brown to the lightest blue.The reflection off the water from his light made it look like the walls had an internal glow. Sparkling and glittery, casting rays of light in every direction. It reminded Mickey of a disco ball, if it wasn't manmade."Do you like it?"At Ian's soft tone, Mickey focused on him instead of the walls. "I love it, but you're the most beautiful thing I've ever seen."Ian lowered himself in the water as he blushed, going until his flushed cheeks were cooled.Mickey chuckled at his reaction, but didn't press. "I'll follow you."The back of the cave was all land, like Ian said, almost like the underwater cave. White sand, a few rocks, enough space to hold over twenty people. And along the wall, just like before, Mickey could see Ian's treasures.Ian beat him there, climbing up until only his tail was in the water. Mickey made his way back, then tossed his bag aside, kicked off his boots and sat beside him."I would kill to have a place like this to come to." Mickey said suddenly as the full impact of the room rushed at him all at once. "To be alone, away from all the bad shit. Having somewhere beautiful to come, somewhere peaceful.""I'm always alone." Ian replied in a soft tone. "I guess it doesn't feel the same when you have no one else."As Ian's shoulders caved forward, Mickey wrapped an arm around him. "You have me, Ian. You don't ever have to be alone again."Ian leaned into him. "I don't like being alone. I don't like the silence."The cave itself was silent. Not even making the waterfall echo around them. Or the gentle slosh of water against the island. Just mind numbing silence."Do you have any places near Miami?""I have places all over the place, even in Miami. Why?""Because when we go back, I could come see you. If you want." Mickey had that strange feeling of self doubt invade his body as Ian moved and looked at him. "Just so you don't have to be alone. We could be alone together.""Every night?""As many nights as I can if it's close enough." Mickey saw fear on Ian's face, doubt. "If I could live in the water with you Ian, I would. In a heartbeat.""Your heart always beats fast."Mickey smiled. "It beats fast for you."When Ian kissed him, Mickey wasn't ready for it. The impact was harder than it should have been for being that close to each other. One hand moved back to brace his body, holding his weight, while the other gripped the side of Ian's neck, holding him as well.Each movement was desperate, but calculated. Like Ian had the need to hurry, almost like he couldn't wait a moment longer. Mickey rolled with it. Meeting Ian's lips again and again, even as they started to pant harshly into the kiss.When Ian's hand moved to his belt, Mickey stopped him with a firm grip, breaking the kiss. "Ian, slow down.""I don't want to." Ian whined, trying again for his pants. "I just want you as close as possible.""I'm not going anywhere. I'm here with you all night. No leaving." Mickey tried to get Ian to hear his words, to know he meant them. "After this, you don't have to hide from me.""But what if I don't look like what you want?" Ian blurted, his voice shaky. "What if you see me and don't like it? Or want me to stay that way knowing I can't? Because the legs won't last. We can't be together."To silence the panic, Mickey gripped both sides of his flushed face and kissed him until he stopped. "Ian, I don't care about the legs. I love you like this," he motioned to his tail, glittery in the water. "This is the you that I want, that I love. But I will like any way you look, even with legs."Ian took a deep breath, the panic slowly going down. "I'm sorry. I know it's stupid. You already told me this.""And I'll keep telling you if it helps." Mickey smiled, even when Ian didn't. "Just because I'm not used to it doesn't mean I won't like it. It's you, I already like it.""Just so you know, I'd still like you if you had a tail."Mickey grinned. "Thank you, Ian. I would happily swap legs for a tail. They are overrated anyway. I would love to be in the water with you.”"But I like your legs." Ian slid his hand down Mickey's thigh. "And I couldn't play with your butt."“Oh, yeah. That would be tragic, hmm?" Mickey joked but Ian knew he was serious. "Besides, we found a way to make it work with you, didn't we?"Ian's face flamed instantly. So hot his eyes watered. "Yeah, you did. It feels so…""Oh, I know." Mickey caressed his bare back, his hands jumping the gun already. He was addicted to him, to everything about him. "I see how much you love it."Like most of their conversations, it grew heated almost instantly. Until Mickey saw a shiver dance its way across Ian's body. Bringing goosebumps to the surface, making him gasp in pain."Is it time?" Mickey asked, his voice nearly panicked.“It's coming." Ian said as he took another deep breath. "Just don't touch me until it's done, okay? My legs are sensitive enough but during the change it hurts.""I won't touch you until you tell me." Mickey said as he reached for his duffle bag and brought out the blanket. He was worried already. "I brought this, just so you're not naked again."Ian cupped his face, taking that next deep breath against his lips. "Thank you. I never even thought of that.""It'll be okay. You know that, right? I'll love you no matter what I see, and I'm here for it all. Okay?" Mickey assured him yet again because he needed it, just like Ian did. He would love him no matter what."I know." Ian hissed, his eyes squeezing shut. "Back up.”“Just remember to breathe through it. It won't last long." Mickey reminded him quietly.Mickey backed up, watching as Ian lifted his tail from the water and laid it across the sand, his back braced against the wall. It was hard seeing him in any kind of pain, even if it was only temporary. That was a look he never wanted to see on Ian's face."I fucking hate him." Ian said confidently, even while borrowing one of Mickey's words. "If he wasn't dead I'd kill him."Mickey managed a smile. "You and me both, Ian. But you got this. You're stronger than this shit, and him.""I know." Ian kept his eyes closed as that burn started to increase. His hands fisting the sand. "And at least this way we can be together."His heart cracked at that. It didn't break, but it cracked enough for pain to slither through. The fact that Ian only thought they could be together like this hurt. Just because of what Ian had been through, he still thought he needed legs to make him stick around."Listen to me, Ian," Mickey kept his voice strong, even while Ian's tail started to blur. "We are going to be together no matter what. Legs or no legs. We are together already."Ian smiled as much as he could. "I love you.""I love you more."It was hard to watch, like a car wreck. All busted metal and shattered glass, but this was bone forming from scales. Blue melted away little by little, starting from the bottom. Piece by piece, painful gasps included, Mickey watched with wide eyes as skin appeared."Fuck."Ian had feet, then ankles, calves, knees, thighs. All a creamy white color, a shade lighter than his upper body which had been kissed by the sun many times. The freckles on Ian's shoulders were like the ones on his legs, only smaller. Placed like God himself came down and directed them all across his body.As hard as it was to not look at all of him, Mickey kept his eyes away from Ian's groin. To give him his pride, his privacy, modesty. Ian was vulnerable and any wrong word, or facial tick, even a wrong sound might be enough to have Ian doubting his body more than he already had.It was over. The change was complete. Leaving Ian with long, beautiful legs, panting against the rock wall. Mickey crawled across the sand, his eyes searching for Ian's, and gently folded the blanket across his hips."Thank you." Ian breathed shallowly, his eyes slowly opening. "It didn't seem to hurt as much with you around.""Good," Mickey smiled. "I'm glad. You did amazing,, Ian.""Enduring pain is not amazing. It just hurts.""Most people don't know real pain like this." Mickey took Ian's hand, squeezing. "You know it's coming and there is no stopping it, and you handled it better than most people because you’re strong.”When Ian's smile returned, even if it was only a flash, Mickey felt the tightness in his chest ease, forcing his body to relax. "Can I get you anything?"Ian licked his lips. "Just water."Mickey had the bottle in his hand in an instant. He twisted the cap and put it in Ian's shaky hand. "Does it hurt the entire time?"Ian waited until he drained half the bottle before he answered. "No, just for a few minutes after. Sometimes my legs feel stiff, and very sensitive to the touch.""I'm glad it's not the entire time."Mickey moved up beside Ian so his back was also against the wall. Ian wasted no time leaning over, showing him one adorable little ear before he was laying on his shoulder.A few moments passed in total silence. So quiet that Mickey thought Ian might have dozed off. The tension evaporated from his body, leaving him relaxed, breathing evenly."Well, what do you think?" Ian finally asked."I still love the tail." Mickey felt Ian smile into his shirt. "But you look incredible with legs. And you are definitely taller than me."Ian wiggled his feet, his going way passed where Mickey's feet stopped. "Makes it harder to walk I think. But yours are in much better shape.""Do you want to walk?""I'm not really sure." Ian asked, moving them a little to the side. "It feels odd to have them. Like I'm not me. Like someone else has control. I think that's why I hate it.""Having no control sucks. That's one of my biggest fears, actually. But I know that if you want control of your body like this, you have to use them."Ian stared at him, listening."I don't mean use them to become human, or to walk in town, or on the beach. I mean use them, make them strong. Make it so if you ever have to use them, or want to, you're in control.""I just don't want to pretend to be something I'm not."Mickey kissed his ear because he could and it made Ian gasp quietly. "It's not pretending. This is you, at least for now. You need to be able to work your body like this. It might help it so you don't hate them, or maybe you become stronger because of it.""Why do you always know what to say to make me feel better?"Mickey chuckled. "I think you feel better because I tell you nothing but the truth. Always. That's how it's supposed to feel when you're with someone you love.""Do you feel that way with me? Even when I don't say much.""Yes, always. And you say more than you think. I can feel what you want, see what you need, and I try my best to give it to you."Ian bent his arm up to slide across Mickey's jaw, bringing him closer. "You've given me hope, Mickey. Peace, love, acceptance. I don't think there is anything more important than that, or that I would ask for anything besides that.""You've given me adventure," Mickey bumped their noses together. "Hope, love, magic. I see the world differently because of you. I want to be different because of you. You've given me everything."Ian kissed him, unrushed. Just their lips pressing together as the words were absorbed and had its desired effect on their minds and bodies. That inner peace was there, as was love, but also heat. Attraction that sparked when they touched, even the simplistic touches."Touch me." Ian whispered when he pulled back, keeping that safe, heated space around them. "I know you want to."Mickey nodded. "Just to explore. But I'm more than happy to wait and keep kissing."The kiss was deeper this time, more intense as lips parted way for the soft slide of their tongues. Coming in for a taste, to explore in the way they both liked."I'm supposed to use them, right?"Mickey was breathless as he nodded."Then touch them because I never do. I need to get used to it." Ian led Mickey's hand down to his thigh, gasping sharply at the contact. "I need to feel like they're a part of me.""Are you sure?" Mickey asked, his eyes moving down without meaning to."I'm sure. Please do it."With another kiss, not stopping until Ian gave that delighted moan, Mickey moved down, all the way down to his feet. It was easier than working from his hips down...then they'd never get anything done."If anything feels weird or bad, just tell me and I'll stop."Ian chuckled. "If anything it'll feel too good."Mickey swallowed thickly. "This is just like touching your tail, isn't it?""The exact same." Ian turned his flushed cheek into his shoulder. "Possibly more intense.""Fuck." Mickey groaned, beating back the images, the sounds, that invaded his mind. The memories of Ian in pure bliss. He craved it. "Do you want it to go there?""There?""Yeah, there." Mickey fought for words that didn't sound so blunt, but if he tried to skirt the details Ian may not understand. "Do you want to finish this? To touch like we always do."Ian groaned. "I have a feeling this will be nothing like those other times."No. It wouldn't. This change, changed the entire game. It wouldn't just be him getting off while Ian had to force his pleasure to come. They would be on the same playing field now. Working with the same equipment to achieve that blissful high.Mickey wanted that. He wanted to touch Ian like Ian touched him. To taste him like Ian had, to see that euphoric look cross his face before it spread like fire across his body.Mickey had to clear his throat from all that pent up need before words came. "If not, that's okay. Trust me. There is no need to rush that.""I know.""I'm good to just sit here and talk or work on gettin your legs to cooperate. Anything you want."Ian sat up, leaving forward to grip Mickey's shoulders. "I want this. I want you like this. Please.”With Ian's go ahead, Mickey put his hands on Ian's feet. Feeling smooth skin while he worked his thumbs down the arch. Adding a little pressure, just so Ian could get used to the touch."Mmm." Ian kept his mouth shut, but the sound slipped out anyway.The simple touch had his legs shaking already. Fighting the urge to jerk away at the odd sensations. So Mickey moved on to his ankles, rubbing those as well, amazed how soft his skin was."How's that?" Mickey asked cautiously, his eyes never leaving Ian's face."Oddly enough it feels good." Ian groaned again and shut his mouth until it passed. "Tingling like the change but not painful.""No?""No, not at all."The corner of Mickey's mouth twitched in almost a smirk. H was taking it so slowly but it was torture for the both of them. They needed it. "More?"Ian nodded. "Much more."His calves were next, lean under his touch. Smaller than his own, less muscle, but there was power. Strength. Mickey could feel his muscles tense each time his fingers dug into his skin."I feel it all over."Mickey nodded, gripping tighter. "It's supposed to feel like that.""I like it."With a smile, Mickey lowered himself until his mouth was only inches away from Ian's shin, giving him a good idea about what he was going to do. "Only if it's okay."Ian licked his own lips as they dried. "Do you want to?"Mickey nodded."Why?""Because it'll make you feel good for one thing. And for two, I really want to feel your skin." Mickey offered one kiss, giving him a moment to test it. Then another, barely moving.Ian moaned. "Mickey."Mickey kissed up to his knee, letting his tongue run along his skin, tracing a few veins. Like the one that moved to the inside of Ian's knee, forcing him to split his legs as he moved up, letting them rest across his thighs."Are you going to do that everywhere?" Ian asked, panting.That sly smile appeared before he could stop it. "Only if you want me to.""I do, I want it." Ian moaned again, slouching against the wall. "But I want to touch you too. Take your clothes off."His shirt hit the sand in an instant. And Ian's hands found their way to his shoulders, kneading the muscles there. Then sliding up his neck and into his hair until his fingers, no longer webbed, scraped against his scalp."That's different." Mickey said as he shivered. "Nails, legs, ears...fuck it's new, but good."Ian smiled, feeling more at ease now. "I'm glad you approve."Getting back to it, Mickey sucked against the side of Ian's knee, using his teeth a little when he pulled back. To his surprise, Ian's legs split wide open, forcing the blanket to shift, giving him just a sneak peek between his legs and what he saw had his jaw aching.Ian was blessed...very, very blessed."And yes," Mickey kept Ian's legs from splitting wider and forced his eyes up. "I approve of all of you.""That thing with your teeth, biting me like that," Ian's entire body shook, allowing him to relive it for a moment. "That's better than the kissing.""It'll get better the higher I go." Mickey showed him by biting the first inch of the inside of Ian's thigh.Ian groaned deep in his throat, his legs trying to move open. "Higher."Finally, after keeping himself calm and collected through this, even when he was as hard as he'd ever been, Mickey growled and moved up. He did the same to his other leg, kissing him, then biting softly."I'm hard." Ian blushed as he said it, watching blue eyes glow up at him. "I'm so hard, Mickey."As Ian's legs split a little more, Mickey nodded. "I see how hard you are for me, baby. I can't wait to get my mouth on you."Ian held the back of Mickey's neck, pulling on him. "Skip the legs, I need it now.""I can't." Mickey fought against his grip and repeated the kissing, biting routine again, going higher until Ian's legs shook. "I'm almost there. Just a little more.""Mickey, please." Ian whined and took one hand back, put it to his chest and slid it all the way down under the blanket. "I'm harder than I was just watching you touch yourself. It aches."The only way to stop from blowing right that second, was to keep going. Keeping his eyes away from Ian and when his hand started to move under the blanket. When those pink lips parted as he moaned, a truly needy sound."I know it does." Mickey moaned against his thigh, only one or two more kisses from his groin. "I'm gonna take care of it, Ian. I promise.""With your mouth?" Ian moaned.Another kiss up, Mickey could see his balls. Heavy hanging there, fucking perfect. He nuzzled them with his nose, shivering when Ian gasped. "With anything you want.""I can't think, Mickey. Please don't make me choose." Ian pulled on Mickey's hair, urging him up without meaning to. "You know more about this. And I want to do it together, like we always do. We can't do that with you down there."Mickey sat up, even when Ian tried to keep him down. It had him grinning devilishly. "Can I move the blanket?"Blushing, Ian replied by yanking the blanket off. Revealing himself without thinking twice about it. He wasn’t prepared for Mickey’s look of shock.“Fuck, oh, fuck." Mickey felt his ass clench after seeing all of him. Long and thick and so fucking big. "I might come from just looking at it."Ian reached down, stroking shyly. "Why?""Because you're big," Mickey leaned back down, tonguing at his balls while Ian moaned wildly above him. "All I feel is my ass clenching with how bad I need it."
"In you, right?" Ian asked, spreading his legs as he kept moving. He fed Mickey's words back to him. "Getting in deep?"Mickey moaned. "Ian, fuck." He ripped open his jeans and started stroking. He was excruciatingly hard, wet and one or two well timed strokes would have him coming. "Tell me what you want before it's over."“Let me feel your mouth a little. Just once," Ian stopped stroking as Mickey's mouth neared. "Then come up here so we can come together."As if he had no control left, Mickey licked from his balls all the way up, forcing Ian's fingers to move, then to the head where he circled it, tasting him. He tasted fresh, clean, but still a little of salt water. He expected as much, but it didn’t mean Ian didn’t taste good, because he did and Mickey suddenly wanted to keep going, to actually taste him as he came."Oh, my God!" Ian whined, lifting his hips, eyes wide. "Is that what you feel when I--?" His entire body moved against Mickey's lips. "Again, please do it."Mickey did it again, only this time he took Ian deep into his throat. Ian gave a choked up sound, one big hand holding him by his hair. It was ecstasy."I feel it, Mickey." Ian whined. "Help me."Mickey shot up, forcing Ian to let go and kissed him as kicked off his jeans, then climbed up his lap, their cocks between them. He swallowed gasp after needy gasp, losing all control."Get me baby, I'll get you." Mickey gripped Ian's cock, amazed as it overtook his hand. "Fuck, look at this. You’re too sexy, Ian. I can’t handle it."Shhh," Ian put his fingers over Mickey's mouth, then gripped him hard enough for him to yelp. "Make me come, Mickey. I can’t handle you talking like that anymore. I can’t…”It didn't take long for either of them. Stroking at the same time, fast and urgent, hardly with any skill. Their teeth clashed as they kissed, moaning at the same time. It was too much and not enough at the same time. Like drowning in lust, drinking sin. Giving everything you had to that other person willingly, eagerly."Just like that Ian, fuck, fuck!"Mickey refused to shut his eyes but watched Ian instead. How his eyes looked like empty blue pits, blown wide. The moaning was constant and Ian had begun to push into his grip, lifting his hips. He was utterly beautiful, addicting in the best way. "Mickey." Ian moved faster, his arm a blur as he quickly lost control. "I can't wait anymore. I need it." He whined, eyes closing, his body trembling, there was no stopping it. He surrendered everything he was just to feel it all. "Now. Right now!"Stroking him through it, Mickey watched as Ian was floored by the power of that orgasm. Unable to look, to move, nothing but constant groans and the shift of his hips as he exploded like a rocket between them. Coating his hand, both their chests, even landing a drop on the corner of his mouth, letting him taste.The taste was the final straw. It shoved him over that edge, into nothingness. Into nothing but pleasure, like it was stroking him from head to toe, using every inch of skin.They couldn't move. They couldn't breathe as they kissed. Gripping each other with sticky hands, trading deep sounding moans before swallowing them. They were lost to each other."Ian." Mickey whispered, his voice going in and out as he tried to center himself. "Are you okay?"Ian nodded. "That was just…" he shivered, an aftershock pulsing up his body. "I've never felt anything so good.""That makes two of us. You did so good, Ian. You are perfect." Mickey said in awe, unsure if his words even covered how amazing it was. "Thank you for doing that with me. For letting me watch your change, for letting me touch your legs like that. To touch all of you.""All of me is for you." Ian answered simply, nuzzling into his palm. "I love you so much. You were so wonderful"With a soft kiss to Ian's forehead, Mickey returned the sentiment, feeling Ian smile against his chest. Leaving nothing but pounding hearts and the harsh sound of their breathing.Sometimes actions spoke louder than words.*It was late morning by the time they made it back to the house. They slept naked until Ian's change, until Mickey felt scales against the tops of his thighs as he held Ian while he whimpered. Then slept until the morning sun illuminated the cave.It wasn't awkward at all. Mickey couldn't help but love Ian's blush, those sly smiles and the mix of heated eyes on his body.They swam in the shallow water as the sun rose to its highest peak. Until it warmed their chilled skin. Then Mickey watched Ian swim away before he drove back to the villa. Unable to stop smiling.Only now, his smile slipped. There was another rental car in the driveway. One that hadn't been there before. Something about it had his senses on overload.Paranoid about Noah and Ian, annoyed because he had no idea what was going on as he unlocked the door and stepped inside. Quinn, Knox and Iggy came rushing to the door with murderous looks on their faces."Fuck." Mickey hissed and tossed his bag down. His mood shot to shit in a microsecond. "What now?"Only he didn't expect Mandy to push her way between them, half of her face covered in fresh bruises. With a busted lip and red rimmed eyes. "What the fuck!?" Mickey nearly screamed. Forcing the start of tears in her eyes. "Mandy…""Mick." Mandy tried to say it normally but it came out as a broken cry. More tears fell as she ran at him.Mickey took the hit of her body colliding with his own as Mandy hugged him, crying. He knew exactly what happened before anyone told him. There was only one person ballsy enough to strike at him, at them, through Mandy. Only one person stupid enough to think he could get away with it. Who thought vengeance wouldn't reach him.Mickey met three pairs of red, murderous eyes, teeth clenched, ready to strike. "Noah is a fucking dead man."
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The Devil's TriangleChapter 13- Secrets"I'm going to kill him." Mickey growled, well aware of the concerned looks but he didn't care. He might have even looked insane. He pushed past them all to get to his bag. "I'm going to drive to his boat, shoot him and light that damn thing on fire.""Mickey…" Mandy moved back over to him, drying her eyes, wincing as she pressed to hard against the blackened skin. "You can't just kill him.""Why the fuck not?" Mickey turned, his gun gripped tightly in the palm of his hand. "I'm sure no one will miss him enough to mess with us."Although mad, Mickey could tell they were afraid. Afraid of him, of what he would do, or when. He knew it was a bad idea in the long run, but seeing Mandy's bruised face was the last straw in a long line of last straws.It was the final tipping point."You didn't even let me explain." Mandy pushed in front of him when he went to move. "I literally only said your name.""That's all I need to know, Mandy," Mickey dropped the gun, aimed at the floor by his side. "One look at you and I know what went down. I don't need the entire story.""Yes, you do!" Mandy screamed, tears silently moving down her cheeks. Everyone aside from Mickey flinched. "The why may not change your mind but it's important. I didn’t come here to get tossed in jail after you murder some asshole.”With a glance at Quinn and Knox, he knew they were on the same boat as him. Hoping for revenge, to shed a little blood for Mandy because she was their family. But there was hesitation. A little fear as well. That was a normal reaction to have. He just didn’t have it himself.Iggy was the only one who seemed on board, 100%. No ifs, ands, or maybes. He didn't need the entire story, complete with illustrations, he wanted Noah dead now. Mickey respected that most of all. He knew if this actually went down, the others would stop him, but Iggy would be right by his side."What exactly do I need to know?" Mickey asked, his voice deep and angry as he looked at her bruised face. "Anything that will change the outcome?"Mandy hesitated a moment, then shook her head no. "No, but it's more important than just offing Noah. That won't solve anything. It won't keep more people from hunting mermaids. From hurting your mermaid, Mickey. It’s important.”Iggy spoke up, his eyes dark. "I don't give a shit why Noah did this, touching you was a mistake. Trying to get Ian and kill Mickey was a fucking mistake. It’s his time.”Satisfaction crept up Mickey's spine, hyping him up for what was next. Having Iggy back him without question was a high he never got tired of. He could always count on him when it mattered. And this mattered most of all."You wanna tell us, fine. But it needs to wait until after we handle this." Iggy moved to his own bag, finding his gun as well. "Like you said, it won't change anything. And we can take care of that fucking now and everyone will be better off.”"Igg, you're the one who said killing Noah wouldn't help." Knox stepped up, literally between the three of them. "You kill him, someone just picks up the money offer and it's game on again."At that, Mickey clenched his jaw. Not wanting to be detoured from his plan."That's before he hurt my family." Iggy growled. He looked at Mickey, already thinking about all the ways Mickey was lucky just to be there. “It happened with Mickey, now Mandy. I won’t wait around for him to get the rest of us.”When no one spoke up, Knox continued. "We know Noah has done some questionable shit. I'm not saying he doesn't deserve it, especially hurting Mandy, but--"Mandy smiled shyly."Then what the fuck are you saying?" Mickey snapped, nearly growling. “We need to do this, handle it.”"We need to figure out who he is working for, we already talked about this." Knox barked back. Glaring. "Fine, kill Noah for coming after Mandy. But Ian still won't be safe. It doesn’t fucking change anything and we are left in the dark, or jail after we get caught.”Ian. This was all about Ian and keeping him safe, keeping him alive, now it involved Mandy and the revenge she was owed. It was easy to let anger and hate get in the way, to shift his focus to revenge for one or two bad deeds instead of all of them, instead of trying to stop it. But was that who he was? A killer? Like Noah…"Someone else will come up and want that money. We won't know who or when, it'll be like starting from the beginning.""Fuck." Mickey sighed, his irritation spiking by the second. He didn’t want Knox to be right, but he was. And it pissed him off on a whole new level."You know he's right." Quinn spoke up, getting their attention. "At least wait until we know who the fuck is pulling his strings before you kill him. Or they’ll be more of him, more people to deal with and we don’t know who they are or what they look like. We know Noah.”Their connection was instant. Both Mickey and Iggy looked at each other at the same time, with the same looks on their faces. So close it felt like Mickey was looking in a mirror at himself. If he said jump, Iggy would, he’d follow him while ignoring everyone else."Tell me what you want to do, and we'll do it." Iggy stepped closer, past Mandy until he was nose to nose with him. “We know this is the best move, Mick. He can’t keep getting away with hurting us.”Mickey quickly weighed the options, pros and cons, the good and bad and his want hadn't changed. He wanted Noah dead. But now it was the enemy you know, over the enemy you don't. Knox was right, but so was Iggy. It was a hard decision to make.At least with Noah, they knew his patterns and tactics. They knew when he'd hit and how, they knew who he was. Unlike the next Noah, or the one after him. Or whoever the figurehead was that controlled all the little puppets. There was a big player they hadn’t even met yet.Someone would always be willing to pick up the pieces, to desire the money as Noah did. Noah was disposable, just muscle, and he used his tricks to bag a few mermaids. Chop his head off and two would appear, then four, then eight. On and on until Ian was dead, until all the mermaids were all dead and there was nothing left.That was a risk Mickey couldn't take. He couldn't gamble with Ian's life like that. But he wouldn’t hold Noah’s life higher than anyone, not Mandy or Ian or any of them. They were worth more to him."I agree we need to take them all down," Mickey said to Quinn and Knox, who dipped their head in response. "But I'm not letting this shit with Mandy slide. That just means he can get away with it and that's not going to happen. And what he did to Ian.”Iggy growled. "Fuck no, it's not. We keep him alive, barely. Then figure the rest of that shit out."The room, aside from him and Iggy, seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. One that Mickey wished could remain for more than a second but he was about to smash the hope into a million pieces."I'll wait until Mandy tells us what we need to hear, then I'm going to talk to Ian." He paused, waiting for their corresponding nods. "But if he wants us to move on Noah before we find out who the head of this thing is, then I'm doing it."Beside him, Iggy bristled with satisfaction. Mandy put her head in her hands while Quinn and Knox traded apprehensive looks. His mind was already made up, theirs couldn't sway him. Only Ian could."If he wants to wait, I'll wait." Mickey said after a few moments of silence. "Fair?"Iggy shook his head. Mandy seemed to think it over a minute before she nodded and the boys just shrugged, knowing they wouldn't get their way on this. It was his way or the highway."Good." Mickey pushed the gun into the back of his shorts. "Let's get this shit sorted then."Knox moved for the first aid kit and Mickey walked with Mandy into the kitchen, followed by Iggy who moved to get them all a drink. Quinn hung around in the background, showing how not okay he was with the plan. Just like the rest of them.Mickey sat down next to Mandy, his anger momentarily subsided when big brother duties came up. "How bad is it?"Mandy touched her swollen eye, wincing a little. "Terry gave it worse, so not that bad."Mickey grinned, then so did Mandy. It was a sick way to connect but they were survivors, through and through. They always came out on top."Really, it just took me by surprise." Mandy pulled the cold beer from Iggy's hand and drank half before she continued. "For a bunch of big guys that was such a bitchy way to fight. I could have done better on my own.”Knox came back with the first aid kit and sat on the other side of Mandy. While he bandaged her up, they listened."I'm sure Noah told them you're a fighter." Iggy said, smirking. "He knew it would have to take you by surprise to be effective. Otherwise you’d spank their asses. What kinda man comes after a woman anyway? Fucking bullshit.”Mandy smiled for a moment before it fell. "That's possible. But unless we see them with Noah, we have no way of knowing if they were his or his bosses. Or someone we haven’t even thought about yet.”"What happened?" Mickey asked. The spike of laughter died down, making the room feel twice as dark as before. "I haven't heard from you in days.""I know. I told you I was going to dig into the shit about Ian, and I did." Mandy hissed when a bandage was put across her forehead. "It took a few days but I think I know why everyone is going after mermaids."Iggy's eyebrows narrowed. "Aside from money?""No, it is about money, that will never change. But the capture alive thing is for a different reason than keeping them as pets."Mickey's body pulsed, feeling a haze of fog sitting across his shoulders. A warning, a sense of foreboding. "What else would they need it for?""From what I found, which isn't much because that shit was in a million different languages, most of which I don't speak, they seem to be after something called Mermaid Cove, or rough translation of the name."The room was so quiet Mickey was sure he heard crickets chirping. They all just stared at her. Even he didn’t know what that was, or what it meant. Ian had never mentioned such a place. Not even to him."Trust me, I know how bat shit crazy this sounds. According to the research, Mermaid Cove is like a Mecca for mermaids. Hundreds of them are supposed to live there."Mickey's eyes widened. "But they've been hunted to the brink of extinction. And we have only been aware of less than ten of them.""I know, but they have to come from somewhere." Mandy snapped. "As far back as I've read, which seems to be around a thousand years or so, Mermaid Cove is ground zero for their kind. Call it a clan or kingdom, whatever, but it has to be real."Mickey stood as he rubbed his eyes and tried not to shoot the idea down. It did sound like a fairy tale, but so did Ian. And he was very real. This might be too, or some stupid humans wanted to believe it was real."I'm sure someone, somewhere over the last thousand years would have come across it." Mickey said. "We didn't even know they existed until that one was caught a few years ago. Then only four or five after that.""The maps show that its current position would be in the center of Bermuda's Triangle. At the center. Filled with storms and freak accidents and legends about sea monsters. Maps that people don't have access to. Or they've been updated so much over the years that it just vanished."Mandy smiled when no one countered her with a negative opinion."People aim to stay clear of the triangle and others die getting caught up in it. Do you really think someone was able to go down to the bottom of the ocean in search for it?""No, because it's a damn death trap." Mickey stopped her before she could continue her rant and moved to get another beer. "But if it's been there this entire time, all those years, why hasn't any more of them been spotted?""With a name like 'Mermaid Cove' someone had to have seen it." Iggy said. "I doubt they'd call it that all on their own. Or they’re trying to trick people into believing them.”Instantly, Ian's story came to mind. The one about his family, about them being killed by that human, or witch, whatever the hell he was. He knew they might need to know, but he wasn't sure if he should tell them. Especially since Ian didn't like talking about it."Well whoever it was is dead now." Mandy said, looking at Iggy. "Someone found it, slapped a catchy name on it, and told someone else who told someone. Word got around for a while, long enough for someone to map it out.""I need to tell you something." Mickey said loudly, interrupting all the side conversations for them to look at him. "I can't tell you details because I said I wouldn't, but I might have an idea."Mandy turned in her chair, eyes wide. "Is it about Ian?"Mickey nodded. "He told me a story, his story actually, or some of it. Ian told me he knew this human a long time ago, like over three hundred years ago…"Everyone's mouth seemed to drop open at the same time, as did their eyes. Up until now, they hadn't known Ian's age, and three hundred years was a long fucking time. He aged well and made their “mermaid cove” story more believable."Damn, he looks good for his age." Iggy said seriously.Mickey smiled. "Yeah, he does. Anyway, he said this human was the reason his entire family was dead."Again silence washed over the room."Ian said hunters took 'em out and I'm wondering if that meant they knew about this Mermaid Cove location. From what I gather, Ian had a lot of family. More makes it harder to hide and easier to find.""That's fucked up." Iggy shook his head. "I can see why he hates humans."Mandy nodded and subtly wiped her eyes. "Do you think Ian knows about this place?"When pacing didn't help the unease inside him fade, Mickey moved back to his chair and sat down. Knowing all eyes were on him. He finished his beer and another one appeared in front of him, he didn’t even care who got it for him. It was needed."It's possible, even when he told me he didn't have a home anymore. A family make a home and if his were killed…" he shook his head sadly. "Then I can see why he wouldn't say anything. Maybe he’s afraid someone, maybe us, would tell the wrong someone something and fuck everyone up.”"Also, it could be to keep the location a secret. The public, the world, doesn't know about it. Less people who know means they’re safer." Mandy added quickly."That too." Mickey said, trying to remain calm even when every nerve in his body screamed at him to go to Ian, to settle this once and for all so he could move to killing Noah. "I can ask him when he gets back."Iggy glanced out the back door. "Why isn't he with you?"Mickey looked too, seeing nothing by the calm water. Eyes searching anyway. "He needed to stretch his legs, so to speak. He's supposed to come back in a few hours. And I can ask him then. See if he knows anything.”"How does this link with Noah?" Knox asked, breaking the conversation away from Ian. "If no one knows then why did they attack you?""I was holed up in the town archives when they showed up. But I don't know if it's Noah's guys or whoever it is he's working for." Mandy motioned to her face. "But as you can see, they seem eager to have that information."Mickey scowled. "It had to be Noah's guys. His boss doesn't even know you, or where you'd be in our home town. He personally knows you, he used you to get to me.”"Yeah, that's a bitch move." Iggy added. "But it's something he would do. I'm guessing he got it all?"Mandy shook her head. "No, I put the books and shit away before they came in, so unless they took the entire building with them it'll take awhile."A sigh of relief seemed to wash over them. For once they got a break, Noah not knowing the location helped them."They beat you up because you wouldn't give them the information?" Knox asked quietly.Mandy nodded and patted his shoulder. "Don't worry big guy, it takes more to break me than pussies like them.""Question," Mickey waited until they looked at him. "Do they want the location to capture the mermaids, or to kill them?"All around, eyebrows narrowed."If they aren't as rare or extinct as we thought, they wouldn't be worth as much money as people have been paying. But if he kills them, or most of them, it keeps him in business and keeps the cash flow going.""God, I sure as hell hope it's not either of those things." Mandy said, disgusted. "We know it can't be anything good. Which means we can't let them find it.""But who is them?" Iggy asked, passing around more beers. "Noah, yes, but he has a boss. And that boss might have another boss and so on."Mandy held up her finger. "I'm not completely sure, so just work with me here. But I think the big boss is a woman.""A woman?" Mickey repeated, making sure he heard it right. Mandy nodded. "I don't know, Mands. This is some hardcore shit here."Mandy glared. "And what, you think it HAS to be a man?"Iggy snorted, no help at all."More than half the time it is." Mickey shrugged. "Maybe the capture part could be pinned on a woman. But killing them? Not just a few, but thousands if they found them. That seems like a guy thing.""I've seen women do much worse," Knox chipped in. "Cunning, dangerous, manipulative, exploitative…" he shivered. "It could be a woman."Mickey held his hand up. "Okay, before we get into feminism territory, just tell me why you think it would be a woman in the first place.""When the goons were going through my stuff, one of them got a phone call." Mandy explained. "I can tell it was a boss by how freaked out the guy was. I'm almost certain it was a woman because he called her ma'am."If it was a woman, this was new territory for them. Killing--no, slaughtering an entire subspecies reeked of alpha male juice. For women, it was more personal for them somehow. Meant whoever she was, was dangerous and unpredictable."That changes shit up." Iggy said and moved for another beer."Well, if you're right and it is a woman, we need to track her down. You gotta be loaded to shell out the kind of money to pay for Noah's expensive ass boat. Can't be too hard to track down."Mandy smiled at him. He gave a wink in return."I did some more googling on the plane and might have a few." Mandy stood. "Let me get my computer."While they waited, Mickey looked out the big glass window and out into the water. He was more worried now than he’d ever been. And only laying eyes on Ian would help…for the moment."How is he?" Iggy asked.Mickey smiled, trying to cover it up by tilting his head down. "He's good. Really good, actually. I didn't wanna leave him.""Yeah. At least not coming back to this shit.""I was kinda expecting a shower, food and a nap. Maybe. But not this." He sighed, his smile long gone. "Now we get to deal with multi-million dollar corporations that want to wipe out an entire race. Only we have no idea who or where to start. Ian is still at risk."When Iggy hummed in agreement, Mickey walked to the back door, opened it, and stepped out. The salty air hit him instantly, calming him. Making him take deep breath after deep breath, making him think of Ian. To be calm. It wasn’t working.Iggy stepped out, Knox behind him. They each took a seat under the shaded umbrella. Mickey didn't want to sit still. He was too angry. Too wired. Instead, he walked to the far edge of the porch until soft waves lapped at his boots.Moments later, Mandy and Qhuinn came out. She took one chair and he took the other."Okay, so like I said, I have a few places that could bankroll the money for this mermaid annihilation plan."In reply, Mickey just turned his head to the side, showing her that he was still listening. But he didn't want to move away from the water. He wanted to be the first thing Ian saw when he came back."The first one might seem a little odd," Mandy warned. "The University of Miami.""What?" Iggy laughed. "You think some college mook has mermaids locked in the basement of the University?"Mandy slapped his arm. "No, stupid. But it's the University of Miami for shit sake. They have marine biologists teaching glasses and giving lectures every day there. They would know how to handle marine wildlife."Mickey shook his head. "Maybe, but don't they have a Board of Directors that literally account for every penny flushed in and out of there?"Mandy sighed."There is no way they'd have the funds for this. Not that they could explain. All that shit is on paper. It's way too risky.""Yeah, I see your point." Mandy conceded tiredly. "But it's not a farfetched idea. Miami is full of experts, it's lucrative. It would bring in money.""Who else you got?""Uh…" Mandy scrolled down. "A few independent research facilities. But they are all about making the oceans cleaner, preserving marine life. I can't see them behind this."Iggy shrugged. "All it takes is one.""No, if someone was coming at it from a different angle, those eggheads would notice." Mickey dug into his pockets for his pack of cigarettes, lit one and took a deep drag. "Who else?""Shit." Mandy stood. "My computer is about to die. Let me get my charger."Once again, Mickey waited and looked back out at the water. Only this time, when he glanced down at the waves, he was looking right into Ian's eyes.His entire attitude changed. His frown turned into a giddy smile. Butterflies fluttered in his belly. His body ached to feel Ian's again. To touch him and kiss him. To do everything with him.Ian slowly came up, his hair smoothed back, his eyes twinkled in that special way but his smile...God, that smile changed everything."Hey, baby." Mickey said softly as he bent down. He didn't want their greeting to be as public as it could have been. "Was lookin for you."Ian put the tips of his fingers on Mickey's boot. "You found me."He saw Ian's eyes dart between his legs, noticing they weren't alone. Then something moved across his face, chasing away that smile."What's wrong?" Ian asked quietly.Mickey cupped one side of Ian's face, his thumb stroking across his cheekbone. "Before we get into that, kiss me?"Ian narrowed his eyes for a moment, then smiled. "Just one?""For now." Mickey winked as he bent down and tugged Ian's jaw until their lips met.The heat was there behind it, as it always was, and as much as he wanted to give in and feel it, to kiss him until they couldn't breathe, he pulled away. Bumping their noses. This was not the time."How bad is it?" Ian asked, his voice soft, uncertain.Mickey pulled back a little but kept his hand on him. He put his smoke out on the deck beside him. "Bad. My sister is here. Apparently Noah's men got to her, beat her up for information."Ian growled low in his throat. "I knew I should have killed him when I had the chance."Mickey gave a tight lipped smile. "I've had plenty of chances. I should have done something, too."They shared a moment of regret, of y, of worry; before Mickey kissed him again and moved back enough for Ian to slip onto the porch, his tail hanging off the side. Water gleaming off his perfect body, his skin, almost shining. God, he was so beautiful.That's when Mandy decided to come back out. Her mouth running a mile a minute, the computer charger in one hand. She wasn't paying attention one bit as she walked back to the crowded table. It wasn't until she noticed that no one was talking, that she looked up. Mickey met her eyes for a split second until she noticed Ian."Oh, my God!!" Mandy practically screamed. She dropped the charger and all but ran across the porch.Mickey automatically stepped in front of Ian, protecting him at all costs. Even from his own sister.Ian didn't shriek or growl at her, but he did hold the insides of his pant legs and slip back into the water until only his head stuck out."Easy, Mandy." Mickey put a hand on her shoulder so she didn't mow over him."He's so beautiful!" She squealed.That time, Ian sunk deeper into the water."Jesus Christ, Mandy." Mickey turned, seeing Ian below the surface. "You fuckin scared him."When he turned to look at her, her eyes were a little watery looking. She was sorry. He could see it. He could also understand her excitement. Now he felt bad."I'm sorry, I didn't mean to." Mandy took a deep breath. "Can you get him back up? I promise I won't scream again."Mickey bent back down and slipped his entire arm into the water. Ian instantly linked their hands and allowed himself to be pulled up to the surface again."No fucking yelling." Mickey narrowed his eyes at her."I won't, promise." Mandy looked past him and at Ian. "Fuck, you're beautiful."Ian smiled a little. "That's what Mickey said."Mickey chuckled. "Ian, this is my sister, Mandy. Mandy, this is Ian."He let go of Ian's hand so he could move over enough to give her room. Ian seemed calm, but kept looking at him as she came closer."It's nice to officially meet you, Mandy." Ian lifted one hand from the water and held it up.Mandy looked at him. "He doesn't shake hands, but it's about the same."Mandy didn't hesitate to press her palm to Ian's. Her smile widened. "It's so nice to meet you too, Ian. I'm happy you're okay.""I am," Ian smiled and took his hand back. "Thanks to Mickey."His heart swelled in his chest at that. Making love bloom once again in his heart. It was so overwhelming it could choke him up if he wasn't careful. God, he was a sap."I was happy to help," Mickey sat down next to him and Ian reached for him. Anything new was to be feared if you were Ian. Their touch helped solidify everything, bringing him safety and comfort.When Mandy didn't reply, he glanced away from Ian to her and her eyes were locked on Ian's hand against the inside of his thigh. As far as casual touching went, it was pretty intimate.Behind her, the boys chuckled lightly."Holy shit." Mandy said as it clicked. "Is this really happening?"Mickey smiled and linked their hands. "Yeah, it really is."Once again, Mandy squealed. This time Ian only jumped. Instead of hiding. "Calm the fuck down!" Mickey kicked at her leg. "Inside fucking voices.""Fuck, I've missed so much." Mandy kicked off her shoes and sat down with them. Eager, like a child. "Tell me everything!"Mickey groaned. "No, not right now. We were talking about Noah, remember?""But--" Mandy whined, motioning to Ian. "I've barely had any time to talk to him. I have so many questions.""He isn't going anywhere." Mickey promised. "You can ask all the questions that Ian wants to answer later on. Right now we need to talk about Noah."Excitement aside, Mandy knew what was at risk if Noah kept it up. She had been on the bad end of a beat down, knew what Noah did to Ian. She knew he was bad news. She knew he needed to be the priority."Fine," Mandy huffed as she stood and moved back to the table. "But this isn't over."Ian chuckled and hopped back out of the water and moved to sit inside the shallow pool. "So, what's happening?"Mickey stood and moved with Ian to the pool. He stopped at the back door though and grabbed his dull knife off the counter and a sharpening block before he sat on the edge of the pool.With Ian's go ahead, he began to grind the knife against the block, forming dull edges back to sharp and deadly. When he thought about why it was dull; Ian's heroic adventure of saving him, battling sharks, hurting Noah, it brought a smile to his face."Noah did that?" Ian asked.They all stopped and looked at him. Mandy especially. Eyes soft, caring, hurt."Yeah. He did."Ian shook his head. "I'm sorry.""I'm sorry, too." Mandy replied. "I know he hurt you, too."Mickey switched his knife to his other hand and gripped Ian's shoulder, squeezing it. "Mandy was trying to locate who could have hired Noah to hunt mermaids."Ian shuddered. "Any ideas?""A few." Mandy focused on her computer. "I have another place that might work, that would be rich enough to fund the kind of money we're talking about."Mickey quirked his eyebrow at her."A place called The Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science.""That sounds familiar." Mickey could feel his mind racing to fill in the blanks. "I know that name."Mandy didn't wait for him to say it. "It's an academic and research institute for the study of oceanography and the atmospheric sciences. Whatever the hell that means.""Sounds like a load of shit. It's probably just an aquarium like every other place in Miami." Iggy said sarcastically."No, that's not it." Mickey dropped the block to the porch and quickly embedded the tip of his knife into the bench beside him. "I've heard that name before but I can't think of where.""Says it's located in Miami, so maybe you heard about it there, or saw it on T.V." Mandy offered.Mickey turned to her. "Where exactly is it?""The facility is located on sixteen acres on Virginia Key in Miami."Whatever that place was, Mickey was sure he knew it. It was on the tip of his tongue but when he went to say it, nothing came out. But warning bells went off when he thought about it, when he tried to remember."Mickey?"At the sound of Ian's concerned voice, Mickey opened his eyes and looked down at him. "I'm okay. Just trying to remember."While Mandy continued to rattle off facts about the institute, pausing to answer questions from the boys, Mickey held onto Ian's hand and dug deep into his mind."It says here it's run primarily by one Helen Rosenstiel. Trust fund baby when she was younger. Her families money. They own a bunch of those oil rigs, so deep pockets."The name sparked it like fire. The memories coming to him all at once, so fast his head started to pound."Holy fuck." Mickey released Ian's hand as he stood. He pushed both of his hands into his hair and began to pace. "I fucking know that name."Mandy looked at him. "So you keep saying.""No, Mandy. You don't understand. Rosenstiel is her maiden name, before she got married. She is too well known to take her husband's name.""Who is it?" Iggy asked."Her husband's name is Sebastian Wilcox, total chump. Married a rich wife, burns through her money." Mickey saw Mandy's face contort into surprise. "She is Noah's mother."'Knox spoke up. "His mother, seriously? She's the one behind all of this?"It made sense. Noah seemed far too cocky to be just one hunter in an entire world full of hunters. Some had to be better than him, which would put him at risk for getting fired. Yet he was so confident, working at his own pace. Like he had nothing to worry about.He didn't. His mommy was funding all of it. He was under her command with orders to capture, and or kill mermaids. He had no rules, no deadline, nothing to fear if he did fail.And that was dangerous."Okay, here it is." Mandy studied the computer, reading out loud. "The company has been in operation for close to thirty years. They have contracts with half the oceanic organizations in the world, most located in Miami. It's a multi-billion dollar company, so there is nothing they can't get their hands on.""How did you know her name?" Ian asked curiously.Mickey shared a brief, fleeting glance with Mandy. He really didn't want to say how he knew Noah's mother. It would bring up too many questions and judgments. And if he was honest, he wasn't sure they would look at him the same way if they knew.But he never liked to lie, either. Them not asking how he knew Noah and his family for all those years was not the same as him lying about it. He didn't lie, he just never told them. Even saying that, it didn't feel right.Now Ian was asking him outright and there was no way he could lie. Not if he wanted to keep what he and Ian had. Not if he wanted to sleep at night. Not if he wanted to see his reflection in the mirror.Mickey gave a subtle nod to Mandy, letting her know he had every inclination to tell them if they asked, then looked over at Ian.If anyone would understand, it would be Ian."I've known Noah for a long time," Mickey began, doing his best to keep his voice even and steady. "About ten years ago when Mandy and I first came to Miami, I got a job working at some fishery doing grunt work. The work you do when you're at the bottom and wanna work your way up."Around him, everyone was literally on the edge of their seats. Iggy, Knox, Quinn and Ian. Eyes curious, patiently waiting for his story. But not Mandy. Mandy already knew because she was there, she was his twin and he confided in her about everything."I was fifteen. We were sent to Miami to live with our Aunt when our dad got arrested in Chicago for running guns and drugs." Mickey took a breath, feeling his lungs compress the more he spoke. "The fishery was owned by Helen Rosenstiel and her husband Sebastian Wilcox. Their son Noah was about ten years older than me, he was already an experienced fisherman that worked their private dock."Iggy spoke up. "You never told me this."Mickey nodded, eyes cast down. "There's a reason for that."Iggy looked at Mandy. "But you told her?""I didn't have to tell her. We came here together, Iggy. We lived together. It's not like I picked her over you." Mickey snapped but there was no heat to it, no bite. It was as empty as he felt when he spoke about it."Can we just get the story, please? Before we start getting mad." Ian said loudly, a little on edge.Mickey had a feeling Ian already knew by just the smallest amount of back story. He was intuitive in ways Iggy would never be.Iggy held his hands up, giving him the go-ahead to keep going."You don't have to tell us, Mickey." Ian spoke quietly so only Mickey heard him. "You know that, right?"Mickey leaned forward until he could kiss Ian on the lips. Nothing sexual or demanding, just a light brush. As a thank you. Somehow Ian understood his apprehension and was okay with never knowing the story if it was too difficult to explain."Thank you," Mickey whispered before he kissed him again. "I know I don't have to, but I think I should."Ian cupped the side of his face. "Whatever you have to tell us, just know that it won't change anything, Mickey. Not for you and I."That's what he was most worried about. His family was his family forever. Even if they were mad at him, or didn't want to speak to him, they would always be there. They'd always be in his life. But Ian was different. Having Ian in his life was a blessing, a miracle, it was not guaranteed. He could do or say something wrong and it would change everything."I love you," Mickey whispered again as he kissed him. He didn't pull away so quickly this time, but let it play out until Ian was softly humming against his mouth. "You have no idea how much."Ian smirked. "I might have some idea. Now kiss me again before you tell the rest."The next kiss was just as slow and wonderful as the last. Mickey was reluctant to pull away, but he did and when he looked up, he saw a shiny, expensive pair of boots directly behind Ian on the other side of the pool."Well, lookie here." Noah cackled, his arms folded over his chest, his smile devious. "I must say, I'm a little disappointed in you, Mick. He your boyfriend now? From what I remember, you had a very, very big sexual appetite."Mickey shut his eyes, flinching at the words. A couple dozen punches would have hurt less."How's he taking care of that? He got a cock I'm not seeing, or what?" Noah shook his head. "Well, if you ever need help with that, you know where to find me. Don't wait too long though, I know how much you love to ride."A bomb could have gone off and no one would have moved. Without looking, Mickey knew Iggy and the boys were confused, disgusted. Ian was probably so shocked he couldn't speak, and Mandy was probably mad, ready to draw blood.He felt physically sick, like he was reliving what had happened all over again, after all those years. They had history, which is why Noah made that remark about him being gay. Even if he wasn’t, Mickey knew what Noah meant, to cause doubt between all of them. To let those secrets loose. To ruin him for good.Before he could come back at Noah with some equally snarky comment, Ian grabbed the knife embedded into the bench beside him and in the blink of an eye he was across the pool.Noah didn't have time to blink.Mickey didn't have time to stop him and Ian didn't have the will to hesitate. The last thing Mickey remembered was Noah screaming at the top of his lungs and blood splashing into the pool. Then it all goes black.
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The Devil's TriangleChapter 14- Lean on Me Honestly, Mickey couldn't believe what he was seeing. He just couldn't. Maybe his eyes were still red from being so angry, maybe it was the tears that kept falling, blurring his vision, or maybe, just maybe, what he was looking at was far too terrible to comprehend all at once and his brain took a little vacation until he calmed down.The deck was nothing like it had been. Two hours ago it had been full of family and friends, drinking and laughing and loving each other. Now it was covered in blood, one guy was dead, four wounded and the cops were already on their way.It had all happened so fast, faster than a blink of an eye. Noah made his peace, and so did Ian. He brandished that knife like it was a part of him. He used it with skill and if Mickey had to admit it, which he didn't, it scared him.That same knife, his knife, was still buried in the meat of Noah's upper thigh, --the highest place Ian could reach at the time-- leaking blood into the ocean as it slowly slid down the deck and right into the water.Ian was leaning against the opposite side of the pool with a bloody graze from a stray bullet on his side. One of Noah's men decided to join the party with a gun and it went off when Noah jumped back into him, hitting Ian.The other body, one leaking blood far faster than a simple knife wound, the one that hadn't gotten up, was draped over one lounge chair with two bullets in his chest. Another one of Noah's men.When that first shot went off, clipping Ian in the side, Quinn never hesitated. He pulled the gun stashed at his lower back and fired twice without even blinking. The guy dropped like a sack of potatoes and never moved.The other wounded guy was him. Mickey took a stray shot in the shoulder. If anyone saw it, they didn't speak up, so he kept it hidden. He acted like the pain rippling down his arm and his chest wasn't real, he acted like the liquid dripping under his shirt was sweat, or water from where it leaked into his clothes after making sure Ian was alive.Aside from that, him checking on Ian, no one moved. They were at a standstill, a draw. Quinn still had his gun up and pointed, as did the other twelve people behind Noah. It was clear who would win if they had an old-fashioned shoot off, but they couldn't not try. They couldn't just sit there.The sirens could be heard in the distance and at any moment, the entire house would be swarmed. They'd all be arrested until they figured out what the hell happened. That's not what scared him the most. He could take a night or two in jail until the cops realized it was Noah who shot first, giving them all the permission they needed to defend themselves. That was easy. No, what scared him the most, what made his entire body cold, was them finding Ian.Ian couldn't just be locked in a cell and if he could, he wouldn't be. No, he'd be taken to some high tech, double high security laboratory and dissected. They'd poke and prod and take samples and run tests, ones that could possibly kill him. He'd be a science experiment, a play thing, an object. Someone would find out about him, someone with strings to pull until Ian had his own little fish tank to spend forever in.He'd be alone, he'd be in danger, surrounded by animals.Mickey couldn't let that happen. He would kill all twelve of Noah's men, not to mention Noah himself, before he let that happen. Given that, feeling it down to his core, was the other reason he felt brave enough, bold enough to move forward, making that the first movement since everyone went still."Knox, you need to get Ian out of here." Mickey said as he kept inching closer to the pool, to Ian. "Now.""He's not going anywhere." Noah snapped, holding the towel around the knife, trying to stop the bleeding."Yes, the fuck he is." Mickey snapped back. "What do you think happens when the cops get here, hmm?""Easy, we all take a trip to jail. My mom bails me out and you all get stuck in holding for the long weekend while I take my prize and go."Noah's men smirked. Mickey could see big green dollar signs in their eyes. They were probably counting all the ways they'd spend that cash, cars, houses, girls. Shit they didn't need. They'd blow it and blow it until there was none left.Morons."You're more of an idiot than I gave you credit for, Wilcox." Mickey laughed. "Yeah, the cops are gonna get here, see a real live mermaid and just hold it for you until mommy and daddy bail you out. That sound like a plan?"Finally, realization hit him hard and his eyes widened in panic."I'm not just gonna let him go, Mickey. Not again.""You don't have a fucking choice." Mickey walked freely around the deck, not caring about the guns aimed at him. He dug through their dive bags and palmed a Scorkl, the same device he used to breathe long enough to take that tracker out of Ian's tail, then tossed it to Knox. "He is leaving and you don't get to do anything about it."Noah chewed on his inner cheek for a moment, clearly trying to find another plan that would work, but there was nothing else. Cops were coming from the street, boats were coming up the water, there was no way out."If you're as good as you think you are, you shouldn't have a hard time getting to him again," Mickey dug into his pocket and slipped his keys into Knox's, without letting Noah see it. "But I wouldn't recommend it because if you haven't noticed, he's just not gonna roll the fuck over and let you take him. And neither will I.""You can't let him get away." Goon number one blurted, eyes wide, jaw clenched.Mickey rolled his own eyes. "Yes, he can. And he will. Mommy won't keep funding your operation with shitty results like this. Gotta up your game or find a new one and trust me, if all you fucks go to jail, the only one getting bailed out is Noah.”When Noah still didn't say anything, Mickey knew he had him. There really was no other choice. With a wave of Noah's hand, his men lowered their guns before they put them away. They didn’t like it approve, but they did as they were commanded.The entire deck seemed to take a deep breath. Shoulders relaxed from their tense positions, jaws unclenching, fists too. Fears of death temporality on hold."Mickey, I don't want to go."Mickey bent down, taking Ian's face into his hands, not giving a single fuck that everyone was watching. "You have to. There isn't a choice. You stay, they will take you."Green eyes watered. "You're hurt, I don't want to leave you."Of course, Ian would be the one to notice his wound. He could probably smell it, if the blood soaking up his shirt wasn't a clue. But it was enough to get everyone's attention. Knox came forward with a towel and pressed it hard against his arm."I'm fine, but you need to go." Mickey held the towel and put his hand on Knox's shoulder and brought him down to his level. "Get him out of here.""This won't last forever." Knox wiggled the Scorkl. "It'll last maybe half an hour or more if I push it.""We don't have time for a tank, Knox. They're coming now." Mickey looked down at Ian. "Use it as long as you can. You should be able to get back to the marina. Check my boat out and get him away. Far away.”"Mickey."One hand dropped down and wound in Ian's hair. Stroking, petting, smoothing it back until he could breathe again. "He will tell you a safe place he can be until he heals.""What about the rest of you? They're gonna toss your asses in jail." Knox huffed. “No one is getting out of this mess until they clear everyone and find out who’s fault it is.” He looked at Noah."Need you for that, too. We should be settled by the time you're done. Bail us out, one, two, it doesn't matter. We need out of this shit as soon as fucking possible."It took a second, Mickey could see Knox fighting with it all but he nodded and Mickey took half a second to rest against his shoulder. He was getting dizzy, lightheaded."Come on," Mickey pushed away and tossed the towel down. He jumped back into the pool and took Ian in his arms. "Ian, you have to go, please. I'll be okay."Ian shook his head, his grip tight on Mickey's arms. "You're losing too much blood. Way too much."A siren sounded in the background, under all those copsirens. "An ambulance is coming too, I'll be okay. But they can't see you. Please, we’re running out of time.”When Ian went to speak, Mickey shook his head and kissed him hard for a moment. He pulled back and wiped the tears from his cheeks, then hugged him to his chest."I love you." Ian said against his bloodied shirt.Squeezing his eyes closed, Mickey whispered the words back to him, then slowly led him to the edge of the pool, where the open ocean was. Knox jumped in, putting his mask and the Scorkl on, then took a hold of Ian's sides and helped lower him into the water.It felt like goodbye."You can trust him, Ian." Mickey said when Ian looked at Knox with wide eyes, begging him to live up to his word. "He'll take care of you until I can."Knox tossed one of Ian's arms over his shoulder, making him lean against his side. "Call me when they let you and I'll get you out."Mickey bent enough to bump his fist with Knox and share a quick kiss with Ian before he pulled back. He slipped on the side of the pool and caught himself just before he fell. Sagging against it, he lost whatever was left of his energy."I will, just go."Watching Ian leave him was always one of the hardest, most painful things he'd ever experienced. It meant something was wrong, it meant they'd be apart for a while. It felt like he was drowning. Ian was hurt and he couldn't help him, he couldn't take care of him.Together, they sank under the water. Both pairs of eyes on him the entire time, like saying goodbye all over again. Goodbyes were hard, but he knew it wouldn't be for long. If Ian stayed, he could count on never seeing him again. And that he couldn't live with."Please tell me I didn't just see all that." Noah said, shaking his head in disgust.Mickey didn't move, he just lifted his arm and flipped him off with borrowed energy. "You have no idea about what you just saw because people like you don't deserve shit like that. Especially not you, Noah.""Mickey, what do we do?" Mandy asked as she stepped up to him. Together they got him out of the pool and seated on the edge. "How do we explain this?"Mickey winced as the towel was once again placed on his shoulder. He hated the fact that he was so dizzy he leaned against her for help. "We can't tell them the truth, obviously. We say what happened, Noah's men shot first.""Yeah, because your stupid fish stabbed me!""He should have killed you." Mickey shot back through clenched teeth, glaring. "Just blame this shit on your trigger happy henchmen and move it along. They're dead, they won't mind."The sirens were approaching fast, Mickey could almost feel the rumble of their engines."You're losing too much blood." Mandy said in a panic.Mickey looked down and his vision blurred, making things appear in twos and threes. His shoulder was bleeding badly, soaking through the white towel in seconds. He could feel his energy draining as his blood did."They're almost here, Mickey, just hold the fuck on." Iggy snapped, almost meanly but Mickey could hear how worried he was. "I'll let them in."While Iggy went inside, Quinn unloaded the gun and set it on one of the tables, in plain sight, just to ward off some of the panic that would appear as soon as their place was overrun with cops. Anyone with a gun would instantly be arrested, they'd be treated differently from the others."Where the hell are they!" Mandy barked, her voice cracking as she cried."I'm fine, Mandy." Mickey lied, smiling through the pain. Even when his eyes fluttered closed for a moment, he kept up that lie. "I've had worse beatings from Terry. This is nothing."Mandy let out a wet laugh. "You're a shitty liar, Mickey. I don't even know why you try."He blinked again and suddenly Quinn was kneeling down, putting yet another towel on his shoulder, pressing hard. "You guys need to make sure Ian is okay if something happens."Their eyes went wide. "Mickey, nothing is gonna happen.""Just in case." He assured her by squeezing her other hand. "Shit goes wrong all the time, we all know that. If it does…""Stop it!" Mandy sobbed, tears streaming down her face."If it does, you have to promise me you'll help him." Mickey continued as if she hadn't said anything. "Please."Iggy moved to his side, bending down to take his hand and gave it a hard squeeze. "We'll make sure he's fine, Mickey. But you're gonna be just fine, okay? He doesn't need us, he needs you."The words, the promise calmed him enough to keep his eyes closed. It didn't hurt anymore, just an echo of what it had been. He didn't feel dizzy anymore either. He just felt a sense of calm, of peace."He needs as many people as he can get." Mickey mumbled. His head lolled to the side, resting on Mandy's chest and if he wasn't so out of it, it would probably be weird. "He deserves good people "Then suddenly, like a switch had been flipped, everything went dark. No lights, no sounds, no pain, no fear. No nothing. Just nothingness.In the far reaches of his mind, Mickey knew something was wrong. He knew he was dying. And there was nothing he could do about it. The only thing he could do was hope that his family kept their promise to him, to make sure that Ian was safe.**(Ian's POV)He was utterly exhausted.Ian was spread across the deck of Mickey's boat, looking up into the dark sky, watching the clouds and the stars with a certain interest he hadn't had before. His body was useless. Exhausted, wounded. Swimming while he was hurt was a bad idea, it would only make things worse, and if he hadn't, he and Knox would have been seen.That couldn't happen.They made it safely to the boat, mostly by him swimming as fast as he could for as long as he could, which was still faster than the average human, and pulled Knox along with him. Once they got to the marina, his energy gave out and Knox got them safely to the boat.How Knox managed to get him on the boat was a mystery. All he could remember was holding onto the side of the boat, trying not to pass out, while Knox talked with the humans at the dock. Then suddenly he woke up on top, moving as fast as possible away from land until only the ocean surrounded them.A few times the boat would slow and suddenly a bucket of water was being poured on his tail. That had to have been the best part. Laying topside, even under the stars and away from the sun, was draining. It sucked away all his energy, as did the lack of water. Each bucket kept him from death, but it would only last so long before he needed to be submerged entirely.He wasn't sure where they were going yet, or how fast, but he trusted Mickey's judgment on his humans, on their humans, enough to put his faith in Knox, to put his life in his hands. Literally. At this moment, without Knox, he would die.Being as exhausted as he was worried about his human, Ian drifted in and out of a restless sleep. It was more to conserve energy and try to heal then it was about actual sleep. The longer he was out, the better he felt when he woke up. It wasn't enough though, but it was the best he could do.When his eyes opened the last time, the sky stopped moving. The boat was gently rocking back and forth with the force of the waves. Humans would get sea sick from it, but for him, it brought an alarming amount of calmness down around him. He missed the water, the waves, and safety."Ian, can you hear me?"That was Knox. That much he could tell. His eyes had closed again for a moment but when they opened, Knox was leaning over him and he had a clear view of his worried green eyes."Did we stop?" Ian asked, startled by the sound of his voice, he cleared it with a cough."Yeah, for now. Mickey said you would know where to go.""I'm not in the water." Ian said. He lifted his head to look around."Yeah, I had to put you up here. I'm sorry. You were attracting sharks and all kinds of shit around us."Ian knew where he was. That's not what he meant. But Knox didn't know that. "If I'm not in the water, I don't know where we are.""Uh, yeah, okay." Knox stood and gave a look around. "We are about twenty miles South of the marina. I had no idea where I was going but we needed to get away. Does that help?"Ian nodded. "I have a place about ten miles from here. Head East for about five minutes at top speed. You'll come to a collection of rocks. They surround a hidden cave halfway under water. I'll be safe there."That cave was nearly thirty feet below the surface. Which for him wasn't a lot, but he had a human with him, one that couldn't breathe under the water. But that was the least of their problems. Ian stayed away from that cave unless it was a dire emergency. It was unstable, rocks had fallen from the walls, sometimes when he was in there, nearly crushing him. It was a risk, but they didn't have a choice."Can you hold on until then?" Knox asked again.When a rough human hand swiped across his tail, Ian flinched. It wasn't a bad touch overall. It wasn't just to get a feel of a mermaid. Knox was checking the moisture on it, seeing if he needed more water, which he did."I'm fine for now." Ian lied, not wanting to make a big fuss. He wasn't sure how many times Knox stopped for water but he could guess it was more than five. "Just drive, then I need to get in the water."Knox left without another word and Ian could hear his boots on the deck, then the loud scrape of a metal bucket before the sounds of rushing water. He smiled and shook his head, maybe all humans really were as stubborn as his was. They tended no to listen very well."I said I was fine." Ian said when Knox came back over with the bucket and knelt down beside him."Yeah, but I know you're as hard-headed as Mickey is." He gave his own smile and slowly tipped the bucket from Ian's hips, all the way down all six feet of his tail. "One more won't hurt."The effect was instant, like that power nap. It helped just enough to keep him awake, to keep him alive. And he was beyond grateful. When Knox went to move, he reached out quickly and grabbed his wrist, stopping him."Thank you." Ian said quickly, feeling uncomfortable just touching someone that wasn't Mickey. He let go as soon as possible. "For helping me.""You don't have to thank me for that, Ian." Knox replied softly. "You take care of him, we take care of you. That's how it works with us."With their mutual understanding, Knox walked back to the wheel. Ian laid back, rubbing his hand against the side of his tail, like he was scraping the feeling off it from touching someone else. It wasn't a bad feeling, just weird. To him, Mickey felt different than all the other humans.As the boat said along the water at breakneck speed, Ian had a chance to think about what happened. Not about his actions, per say, because he thought them over carefully before he executed them. He thought about what started all of it. About what Noah said, about what he and Mickey used to be to each other.Was that the truth? Did Mickey really used to be with Noah in that way? Intimately?From what Ian had seen of Noah, there was nothing redeeming about him. He was cold, mean, vindictive. It was like he had no soul, no conscience. He cared only for himself. Ian couldn't see Mickey with a man like that, one so opposite of him.Even when he was disinclined to believe Noah, the explanation came from Mickey himself. The truth, if Ian had to guess because Mickey didn't lie. There was no need. So, it was true. He and Noah were together in ways he and Mickey were together... maybe more in depth since they were both human.A painful feeling sprouted in his stomach, a knot, a ball of anxiety and sickness. Just the idea of Mickey being with someone else like that, touching and kissing and feeling all those tingly feelings Mickey coaxed from him, made him sick. It made him doubt all that they'd done together, all they'd learned from each other.Was Noah a better lover than he was? He could certainly satisfy Mickey properly, unlike Ian could. He didn't have what Mickey needed to do it the right way, at least not all the time. A few hours a day with a human body was all he was allowed.What did that mean for him and Mickey? What did all that was revealed change between them?Tears welled in his eyes. Ian let them fall, mostly because he needed the moisture on his face, but he was also too weak to brush them away. So they fell. Steadily, silently, painfully.Now Mickey was hurt because of him, because of his actions. If he'd have just left Noah alone, then Mickey wouldn't have gotten shot. Then other humans wouldn't be on the way to take Mickey away, Mandy too. Now they had to be apart until the time was right."It's all my fault." Ian said quietly. He said it to the stars that flashed periodically at him. Tears streamed down his temples. "It's all my fault."Boots sounded behind him and Ian couldn't even try to stop crying. He just didn't have the energy right now. Even laying there doing nothing was proving to be harder."Ian, what happened was not your fault." Knox said quietly as he moved around to face him. "This is all on Noah.""Noah only reacted when I acted." Ian said softly, the tears pouring faster. "I caused this. I attacked him, of course they attacked us and Mickey got hurt."Before he realized what happened, Ian's face was being cradled between both of Knox's big, tattooed hands and he was looking into worried green eyes. It was intimate, but not in the same way he was with Mickey, this was different."Ian, just stop, please?" Knox pleased and shook him a little. "We both already know that Noah doesn't need a reason to attack us or you. He's already done that. And he would have done much worse if you hadn't done anything."Ian cried harder, his eyes closing for a moment."You gave us our best shot by hitting them first. He didn't expect it.""But Mickey--""Mickey would have done the exact same thing." Knox interjected, cutting off Ian's words. "The only thing I would have done differently, is I would have killed him."Ian opened his eyes, knowing he looked a little freaked out. Had he been trying to kill Noah? Probably not. He just wanted him to stop talking about what he and Mickey did in their past. He didn't want any more of the details rattling around in his brain. Enough damage was already done.Knox released him after a moment and Ian was both grateful and missed the touch. He stepped back enough to give him some space, but kept down at his level so he could see him."Mickey will be fine. They will fix him up at the hospital and once I get you situated, I can work on getting him back to you."That was just what he needed to happen. He needed his human. To see him, to know he was okay, to hold him, to kiss him, to see kind, loving blue eyes. But to do that, he needed to get himself together and let Knox do what Mickey asked him to do."Are we here?" Ian asked, worming away from all the heavy, emotional talk and Knox seemed grateful for it."Yeah, I did what you told me." Knox stood and pointed to the rocks. "Before we get in the water, I have to do something about your side. You're losing blood and getting into the water that way is dangerous."Ian looked down at his side and maybe that's why he was so close. He was laying in a pool of blood and it was only growing. Over his wound was what looked like a white towel, only it wasn't white anymore, but red. He hadn't remembered Knox doing that either."We?" Ian asked after a moment.Knox looked at him like a stubborn child. "Yes, we. There is no way you can make it thirty steps across the boat, let alone thirty feet down in the dark.""I can see in the dark." Ian said, not wanting to be babied. At least not by Knox. "I can make it.""Forget it." Knox said loudly as he jogged across the boat, opened a hatch on the side and pulled out a first aid kit, then moved back. "If I let you go, Mickey would kill me."When he tried to sit up, to prove he was fine, he couldn't. He sat up only a forth of the way and his arms shook so bad they buckled and he had to lay back down, clutching his side. Okay, so swimming alone would be a bad idea. Any number of things could happen, large predators like sharks, being too weak to hide from passing boats like Noah's, or the worst part, him turning into a human and stuck in the middle of the ocean instead of a secure cave with plenty of air.But the idea of letting Knox risk his own life for him didn't sit well either. He didn't like Mickey doing it, he didn't like Knox doing it. If anything happened to them, it would be his fault and he was almost certain he wouldn't be able to live with himself."Don't even try to argue, it's useless." Knox opened the bag and riffled through the contents for what he needed. "Okay, now to get you fixed up. It looks pretty deep, and considering the bleeding I might need to stitch you up."Ian tensed. "And what all does that entail?"Knox held up a needle and thread for Ian to see. "I need to stitch you up, which will probably hurt but I still have some of that stuff we used on your tail to numb it, if you want.""I don't want any of it." Ian glared at the items but knew he didn't have a choice. Knox was only being nice and informing him of what was going to happen. "Will that stuff work like it did last time?"Knox nodded. "It should. It's a numbing agent and an antibacterial so it kinda does two jobs. Makes it hurt less and gets any kind of infection out."Without a choice, Ian relaxed as much as possible and let one hand fall away from his side. Knox took that as a sign to go ahead and Ian watched him bring out the same tube of medicine Mickey used once before. He opened it, put a little on just the tips of his fingers and applied it right to the wound.Ian hissed, tensing without meaning to. It hurt, but only for a second. Knox was quick, touching him as little as possible until he pulled his hand back and whatever that stuff was started to work. He laid back down, his entire body relaxing from the lack of pain. He just stayed there for a minute and Knox let him."That feel okay?"Ian nodded. "I don't feel it anymore."Knox smiled as he carefully threaded the needle while Ian's eyes were closed. "Good, just keep still and don't open your eyes. It'll be over before you know it."Once again trusting him, Ian did as he was asked and kept his eyes closed. He didn't feel anything and almost asked if Knox would hurry up and start before he felt a little pressure, but absolutely no pain. He settled, thinking about Mickey again, it was both a relief and worrisome all rolled up together."There you go." Knox said after a while and clipped the needle off the thread and tossed it aside. "I still need to wrap it up."Ian opened his eyes and looked down, surprised to see the rather long gash now closed up, no longer leaking blood. "Wow, that worked."Knox laughed. "Yeah, it's supposed to work. It'll help you heal faster too." He dug back into the bag and unwrapped a waterproof bandage. "This just covers it, it'll keep the water out and help with infection as well."That was painless also. It was stuck to his side and covered the wound completely. When Knox moved, Ian poked at it, feeling it tightly stuck on his skin. Then he twisted his body back and forth, seeing that it moved with him and didn't slip off."Thank you." Ian said as he met his eyes. He might have even smiled a little because Knox smiled too."You're welcome, Ian." Knox stood and set the bag aside, then moved for his wetsuit and the oxygen tank kept in a corner. "Just gimme a second to suit up, then we can go. What do I need to know about this cave?"Ian managed to sit up and prop up against one side of the boat. He sagged back, hating that just a little effort drained all his energy. "A lot, actually. For one it's extremely dangerous. The whole thing is compromised. There are walls that cave in, rocks blocking a few of the entrances, it's not the ideal spot."Knox stopped pulling up his suit and turned to look at Ian. "Well, I wasn't expecting that. Are we even going to be able to get inside?"Ian shrugged. "I only use it for emergencies. Ones that can't wait for me to swim to another location. It's different every time I come and I always manage to find a way in and out without getting hurt.""I don't like it." Knox said but knew they had no choice and continued to put his suit on. "Thirty feet should be no trouble for me, though. I'm certified to go a lot deeper than that."Ian relaxed a little at that. Knox did seem to know his way on and around the water, much like Mickey did. It gave him comfort to know that Knox would be able to handle it if something went wrong, like a possible cave-in or any dangerous predators."Once you get me in, you have to leave." Ian left no room for discussion and once again Knox turned to look at him. "We need to find out what's going on with Mickey and the others.""I'm not going anywhere until I feel like you're going to be okay without me." Knox also said it like he wasn't in the mood to compromise. "I'm bringing water if you need it, fresh water, I'll collect whatever you need for food, anything to make sure you'll be okay until we come back."Humans were so...mushy.Ian wanted to be irritated but couldn't. Knox was doing exactly what Mickey would have done if their places had been switched and he couldn't find it in him to be annoyed. Just grateful and maybe a little mushy himself at times. None of which Knox had to know about.Without wanting to fight, Ian nodded, accepting his answer. "I'll be okay without food. We ate just before all this happened. Fresh water will help later on…" he didn't say when he was human because Knox didn't know and he wasn't sure he'd be alone that long. "What I really need is to be in the water. That heals me faster than anything else will."Knox drug his tank to the open side of the boat, then slipped his mask on top of his head before he walked towards Ian. "You'll be in soon enough. We can work on the rest after."Ian nodded his agreement and didn't tense up when Knox helped him closer to the water. He bent down and easily picked him up, holding his weight like it was nothing. Their faces were close, which made Ian a little uncomfortable, but Knox didn't waste any time and carried him over to where his tank was and carefully sat him down.Just as Knox was about to put his tank on and slip into the water, Ian heard a little jingle on the other side of the boat. He cocked his head to the side as Knox's eyes widened and he ran towards the sound."Hello?" Knox answered in a huff, breathless and worried.Ian listened, and it sounded like Mickey, only it wasn’t, it was Iggy, but also sounded a little like Quinn. He heard Mickey's name several times, prompting him to focus solely on the conversation and nothing else."Are you sure? Is it that bad?" Knox asked again, rubbing over his face.This had to be about Mickey. It had to be and Ian didn't like the sound of Knox's voice, or the words coming at him from the other end. He could see that Knox was worried, afraid, his face and his body language gave him away, as did the high pitched tone of his voice."I'm with Ian right now, helping him get situated, then I'll be right there." Knox waited a moment, then Ian heard Mandy on the other end for a moment. "Iggy, just keep asking the doctors what's going on. Don't let them keep you in the dark."Ian's eyes widened a little. Then he heard a word he wasn't familiar with but when Knox repeated it, his voice cracked with emotion and Ian could see his eyes water."Love you too man, be safe." Knox said and ended the call, then casually wiped his face. "Ready?"As soon as Knox was close enough, Ian reached out and snatched his wrist, keeping him from moving with a fierce grip. "What happened?"Knox shook his head. "Iggy just wanted to say that Mickey was being treated for his injuries and they were trying to clear things up with the cop.""Yeah, I heard that much." Ian tried to search his eyes but Knox couldn't meet his. "What else is wrong?""Nothing, it's nothing."Ian squeezed until Knox grunted and tried to pull away. Held tightly, thankful he was stronger than a human. "There is something you're not telling me and if it has anything to do with my human, you better tell me right now."There was no room for discussion, yet Knox still seemed to have trouble saying it. His mouth opened and closed a time or two, trying to get the words out but in the end, there was nothing."They said Mickey was in a coma?" Ian asked, trying out the foreign word for the first time. That's when Knox met his eyes, probably surprised he heard that far away. "Tell me what that means."With a deep breath and another rub across his face, Knox leaned against the side of the boat. "The doctors at the hospital-- people that help injured people, they put him in a medically induced coma. That means that they gave him medicine that makes him sleep while he heals."Ian scrunched his eyebrows. "Okay, so if he's only sleeping, why are you so worried? It has to be more than that. Why did they do this coma thing for him? He said he was fine.""Iggy said that as soon as we left, he passed out, probably from blood loss." Knox hated the distraught look on Ian's face, but kept talking. "We saw the wound in his shoulder, but apparently another one grazed the side of his head and no one knew until they got him to the hospital.""Oh, no." Ian gasped, tears filling his eyes.He didn't know much about places called hospitals or doctors or all that stuff, but he knew that any injury to the head was always a bad thing, a serious thing. "Will he be okay?""Head injuries are tricky, which is why they induce a coma. It'll help any swelling that might have occured and help for a speedy recovery. Iggy said it wasn't a clear shot, meaning he didn't get shot in the head or anything, but it was deep enough for them to worry."Ian felt bile rise in his stomach and had to fight not to get sick. That would only make him feel worse. As much as he didn't like hearing the awful details, he would have demanded it if Knox held anything back."Okay," Ian cleared his throat and rubbed over his own face. He couldn't meet Knox's eyes. He just stared down into the water. Finding no peace this time. "But he's alive, right?"With a sad smile, Knox nodded. "He is. And they say he's doing good. They took care of his shoulder and his head, gave him back the blood he lost, now we just wait until he wakes up."Knox was still holding something back, he could feel it but he couldn't bring himself to ask. Mickey was alive and with people that would help him and even when he didn't know what all the risks were with this coma thing, he believed Mickey would be okay. He knew he would be okay."We should go then because you need to be there when he wakes up." Ian said as a matter of fact and Knox didn't disagree. "Are we ready?"Turning away, Knox pulled the tank on his back, then slowly climbed down the side and into the cold, dark water. "I'm going to help you in, then you stay on me the whole time. Help if you can, hold on tightly if you can't and we can make it."About twenty feet out, Ian could see the tip of a sharp fin just above the water. Knox wouldn't be able to see it unless he turned his light on. Ian kept it to himself as he slipped off the boat and into the water. Knox knowing something was already with them wouldn't help any, it would make it worse"Alright, now hold onto the boat for a minute. When I give the signal, take hold of my arm and we go down."Ian held onto the boat and watched Knox pull his mask down, then put the thing he needed to breathe with in his mouth. The overhead light was turned on and strong arms were held open for him. Ian took one hand in his own and allowed himself to be pulled away from the boat.At the same time, they both slipped below the water, slowly. Ian let his eyes adjust to the water, trying not to relish in the feeling of his tail in the water for too long, and kept a hold of Knox's arm tightly.They shared a look, then Ian pointed down. From this height, even with Knox's light, he wouldn't be able to see the entrance, or the side of the rocks as they descended. Knox was the one who squeezed his arm, letting that fear show for a moment before he was swimming down.Ian did his best to help, swishing his tail hard and fast to get them lower, but it came in spurts. He'd have a limited amount of energy for a few moments, lowering them a few feet before it would dissipate and Knox would pick up the slack. They helped each other the entire way down, giving the other a break when it was needed, leaning on the other for support.Soon enough Knox was able to see the mouth of the cave, nestled on the side of one crumbling rock. Ian pointed at it anyway as they tread water for a moment. He pointed to where it had collapsed, the loose rocks hanging halfway off the rock formation. One rock slid down just enough to slice the entrance in half, creating two entrances. One up top, then one below the fallen rock.It looked worse than Ian imagined it would and he could feel Knox's hesitation. His fear. Ian was afraid also if he was being honest, for this was one of the worst possible places to be when they needed a safe haven.Without a choice, Ian was the one to pull on Knox, getting them going again. They moved slowly until they reached the mouth, then stopped, treading water again. Ian pointed to the bottom half of the entrance, for the top had broken shards split in multiple directions. They knew instantly that they'd have to go in one at a time, and not together. There was just no room.But who went first?Knox decided that for them. Ian met his eyes through the foggy mask and they darted down, then back to his eyes. Letting him know that Knox wanted him to go first. Ian agreed with that before Knox even told him. If he went in first, Knox would be there to help him inside instead of leaving him vulnerable on the outside with only a crumbling rock to hold onto.Their arms unlinked from each other and Ian was already swimming towards the mouth. Knox had both hands on either side of him, propelling him forward. Just before he slipped inside, Ian tucked his arms close to his body and hoped that the swish of his tale didn't touch either side of the wall. If one fell, he would probably be trapped and there was no way Knox could get him out.Safely on the other side, Ian took a deep breath and tried to steady the shaking of his shoulders. They weren't out of the woods yet, Knox still had to get through before he would call it a success. To get through, Knox had to tread over an entire ocean of dark, open water as he shrugged off the tank then slowly slid it through. Ian grabbed it and held it steady as Knox squeezed his way past.The cave gave a low rumble, but otherwise didn't move or crumble on top of them. Ian helped Knox put the tank back on and Knox instantly put one arm around his waist and headed up. It took longer than it normally did simply because he could swim faster than any human, but Knox was a damn good swimmer and got them there within a few minutes.They breached the surface and Ian began to drag him over to the ground. It wasn't as large as the one he and Mickey got stuck in, about a fourth of that size, but it would do for now and Ian was grateful they made it. Ian jumped up to take a seat on the edge with his tail in the water, then reached down and helped Knox pull himself out of the water."Fuck." Knox said as he laid on his back and took his mask and mouthpiece off. "I seriously thought a shark was going to snatch me when you went in."Ian smiled and laid back beside him. "Yeah, I saw a few while we were out there but it was surprisingly calm tonight."Knox scoffed. "Thanks for not telling me. I'd have been more of a nervous wreck. And I'm used to the water, it shouldn't freak me out so much.""I've lived my entire life in the water. Trust me, it's okay to be afraid of it sometimes." Ian hoped that eased his mind, at least for the moment. "But the water is the least of our problems. You need to go."Knox sat up, rubbing over his face. "I literally just got here."Ian sat up as well and checked the bandage on his side. It was still intact, although sore from swimming. "Yeah, and like I said before, I'm fine here. I'd rather know what's happening with Mickey.""From the way Iggy sounded, we won't get a chance to talk to Mickey tonight. Maybe not even tomorrow. Comas are tricky.""I believe that, but I still want to know what's going on and unless you're gonna carry me to him, you better go."They stared at each other, wondering who was going to win the stare down. And when no one looked away, they smiled and laughed. Breaking the tension."Okay, I'll go, but I want to check something first." Knox stood up and duf into his jeans for his phone. It was wrapped tightly in plastic. He took it out and held it up, looking for a signal. "I'm surprised, there is actually service here."Ian tilted his head. "I have no idea what that means."Laughing, Knox took a seat once more and showed Ian his phone. "A cell phone signal, it lets you call people. I'm sure you've seen Mickey use it."Ian nodded but his eyes were cast down on the bright screen."Well, the signal isn't the best in here but it'll do. I'm gonna leave it here with you so that way I can use a different phone to call you.""I have no idea how to use that thing." Ian moved over when Knox tried to hand it to him. "I'll probably just break it.""Not if you're careful." Knox laughed and tried to give it to him again. "If you don't want it, I won't make you. But it'll help, it'll let you know how Mickey's doing long before I make it back here."Technology had never been a part of his life. Not even all those months as a human. He had been interested in the world and people, not what kept people away from the world and each other. The only thing he had was the watch Mickey had given him, which was no longer on his wrist. Now Knox wanted him to take on another foreign item."I do want to know how he is as soon as possible." Ian said after a moment and finally took the phone. He didn't even like the way it felt in his hand. "Just show me how to call you, or what to do when you call me. I don't care about the other stuff."It took a little while, a lot of mess ups and left Ian a little aggravated, but Knox showed him how to call someone, Iggy specifically. Knox told him about something called speed dial. He was supposed to hit the #2 on the screen, then the green button and somehow that would get him to Iggy, to Knox. Then to answer a call, he just needed to slide the green button over, although he didn't understand why he had to slide it when it wouldn't go anywhere literally, he got the hang of it.It was maddening, but genius all at the same time."Who's this?" Ian asked as a picture of Knox and a very beautiful woman popped up in the background. One that seemed familiar somehow, but that was an impossibility. They were holding each other, smiling.Knox grinned. "That's my girlfriend, Sammi.""She's very beautiful." Ian commented genuinely. "Have you been together for a long time?""Seems that way sometimes. Five years in December. We met when we were overseas, she's not military but she's a marine biologist, she loves the water and so do I.”Ian handed the phone back when Knox couldn't stop looking at it. He was happy, but sad at the same time."I'm guessing you guys aren't together all the time.""Not as much as either of us would like." Knox admitted as he thumbed over the picture. "Our work kinda keeps us apart. But it's what we love to do, so we make time when we can.""I don't think I could go so long without seeing Mickey." Ian admitted with a blush. "Even a few hours seems like too long.""Yeah, I feel the same way. But I'd never ask her to leave her work for me and she would never ask me to leave for her. That's what love is, Ian. It's not just loving and being together, it's staying together when it's hard, when it feels like you might not make it."As much as he wished Knox would leave, he was glad he stayed. They somehow fell into their personal lives without a fight and Ian had never been able to tell anyone about his feelings with Mickey. He didn't have anyone to talk to, until now."I've thought a lot about what it's going to be like to live apart and I can say that I don't like it." Ian laughed a little but he knew Knox felt his sadness. He could hear it. "When all this is over, when Noah isn't a threat anymore, I don't know where that leaves us."Knox narrowed his eyes. "What do you mean?""Knox," Ian took a deep breath and was surprised at how shaky he exhaled. "We all know that this won't end well, Mickey and I. As much as I want it to, as much as he does, I don't think it can.""Why not?""Because we literally can't be together." Ian looked at him, wondering why he didn't already know without him trying to explain. "I can't be with him on land, he can't be with me all the time in the water. We are literally from two different worlds. How is that supposed to work out?"At that, Knox didn't have anything to say just yet. Ian knew he was trying to find the right thing to say, or offer some sort of explanation to why he was wrong, or why he was right. Or maybe he was just trying to spare his feelings."This is what I was talking about. When shit gets hard, when it gets complicated, when you still want it to work, that's when you know it's love. Real, painful love. And you fight for it."Ian shook his head and looked down at his bare wrist, where the watch was. He rubbed over it, missing the feeling, wondering what had happened to it. He could feel Knox staring at him, waiting for his reply, but he didn't have one that would satisfy him on this."Have you ever brought Mickey here before?" Knox asked, glancing around and saw a few personal items halfway buried under the sand near the wall."Not here specially, but another place, and not the one we almost died at." Ian laughed a little, then Knox did. "I took him to a safer place, one he could get to on land. That was just this morning."The memory seemed far away as if it had happened in another lifetime. They were happy and together, sharing kisses and touching and leaving the world behind just to be together. He could never remember being so happy, not like that, not in many, many years.And now it was gone, ruined within a few hours. Now he was once again stuck in a cave, worried about his life and Mickey's."I know trying to establish a relationship right now is hard, especially because Noah is determined to kill all of us, but you guys are making it work. You're staying together through it all, fighting together. You know that counts for something."Ian nodded, unsure if he felt the same way now that Mickey was hurt. "It counts, but does it really matter if we can't be together in the end?"With a deep sigh, Knox gripped Ian's shoulder and squeezed a little in reassurance. "Unless you leave him, he will always be here, Ian. He loves hard, and with all that he is, with all he has. And he will never let you go, unless you leave on your own."Ian squeezed his eyes closed as the tears built and slowly slid down his cheeks. "I can't imagine my life without him, but I can't picture our future either. I'm not sure what to do about that.""You live, now. In this moment, in the next moment. You take it one step at a time and enjoy it all along the way. There is no reason to jump to the end of your story when you've only just started." Knox squeezed once more and dropped his arm. "Love is a wonderous thing, Ian. But it's one of those most painful things to be a part of. It's hard and complicated at times, but you can't walk away when it's real."Ian elbowed him, making him laugh."Fine, you can't swim away when it's real. My point still stands." Knox began to slip back into the top part of his wetsuit, getting ready to head back to the surface. "Just remember, you're one of us now, Ian. We care about you."A real smile found its way to his lips, widening before he second guessed it. "I care about you guys as well. Mickey says that you guys are my humans, not just his."Knox smiled. "We are your humans, you are our mermaid, it all works out pretty well if you ask me.""I need my human, Knox." Ian replied, his smile slipping within seconds. "I need him.""And I'm going to make sure you have him, okay? We need him too, more than any of us would care to admit." Knox stood up, fixing his shirt when his dog tags jingled."What's that?" Ian asked, looking up at the shiny metal hanging from his neck.Knox grabbed them and squeezed. "They're called dog tags. The military gives them to you when you join."Military? Ian wasn't sure what that meant, but he didn't need every single detail. "What is their purpose?""Well, that's a little grim if you ask me." He took a seat again and pulled the tank on his back, but left the front of his suit open. "If you die serving your country, they are used to identify your body."Ian's eyes widened. He knew all about war, he'd seen his fair share, but he'd never met a human who had."They jam it between your teeth so it doesn't fall off and it makes it easier for them to tell who you are.""That's awful." Ian shivered and wrapped his arms around his body.Knox laughed. "Yeah, like I said, it's a little grim. But if you don't die, they are there to remind you every day that you made it. That you survived."Ian could relate, kind of. Not because he had some fancy necklace to remind him that he survived some horrible things. But he had his body, his scars, his memories. His newest scar, the one on his tail was a constant reminder. To the naked eye, or the human eye, it couldn't be seen. But Ian could see the way his scales grew back dented, uneven. And when his tail was gone, he had a scar on his thigh, thin and pale, but when he touched it he remembered what it felt like when he was hurt.That's how he knew he was alive."You already know you're a survivor, Ian. You don't need a necklace to tell you." Knox yanked on one tag until it was free of the necklace, then handed it to Ian. "Here."Ian took it with wide eyes. "Why are you giving this to me?""Just in case you need a reminder, I suppose. It's helpful to hold onto something aside from just a memory. It helped me get through some bad times, maybe it'll help you too."Giving someone a gift was always special. At least to his kind. It could mean friendship or love, depending on what was given. It was a treasure meant to be treasured. Like a memory you could hold. Ian had his fair share of items, coins and shells, but none had been given to him aside from when Mickey gave him a coin, then a snow globe and a watch, all gifts of love.But he'd never gotten one from a friend before. Maybe because he'd never had one. Until now. Ian squeezed it in his hand until the metal bit into his skin and suddenly felt like crying again."Thank you." Ian said quietly without looking over because he knew his face would give him away.Knox reached out to squeeze Ian's shoulder again before he zipped up his suit all the way, put his mask on top of his head and slipped into the water. "I'll be as quick as I can. Just try to rest, heal as quickly as possible and I'll call when I know what's going on.""You be careful, and please take care of him."Knox smiled. "Always, Ian."With that, Knox sank below the water, out of sight, headed back into the fight when he couldn't. So, Ian just sat there with his lower half in the water, looking at the shiny metal in his hand and wishing just for once, that he could control when his legs could come out.**Two hours later, Knox arrived at the hospital. He signed in at the front desk, was directed up two floors to ICU and given Mickey's room number. Visiting hours were long over but he knew they'd all be in the waiting room anyway.Leaving Ian had been hard. Harder than he would have imagined. Especially after their little heart to heart talks, a cleansing of their souls, so to speak. It hadn't been an all around bad talk, mostly just honest, which included all their fears, as well as their hopes. Call it what you will, but they bonded over it and that was all that mattered.The hospital was as busy during the evening hours as it was the daylight hours, only fewer guests. Knox made his way up two floors without an issue, but was stopped at the second desk before he could move down to Mickey's room number."Sir, visiting hours are over until tomorrow."Knox gave her a kind smile. It was her job to enforce the rules, she didn't make them. Getting irritated at her wouldn't help, it might even make it worse for him and the rest of their family. It never hurts to be polite."I understand, but my brother was admitted a few hours ago. I just want to make sure he is doing okay." Knox didn't lie, Mickey was like his brother. "Is there any chance I can see him for a minute, or just talk to someone about his condition?"She seemed to consider it for a moment before she held up her finger. Knox nodded, watching as she picked up the desk phone and spoke quietly into it. It was a quick call and ended seconds later."Your family is down the hall in the next waiting room. They are still waiting to hear back from the doctor about his current condition."He exhaled a breath of relief. "Can I see him?""The doctor has ordered everyone to stay out until he comes to meet with you, which should be rather soon. Until then, you can join your family in the waiting room."That was better than them kicking him out and he wouldn't question it. He offered another kind smile before getting directions to the waiting room. She pointed down the hallway to his left and told him to follow the signs. He thanked her, then went to find his family.And just as she said, they were all waiting in the waiting room, looking about as tired as he felt. Still in their clothes from that afternoon, they had dark bags under their red rimmed eyes and looked one wrong move away from freaking out.Knox caught Iggy's eye first and brought him in close for a hug, then Quinn, then Mandy. He breathed them down like it had been years since they were all together. He was relieved they were safe, unharmed."Hey, I didn't expect all of you to be here." Knox said after all the hugging was done. Mandy took a seat and wrapped a thin hospital grade blanket around her shoulders while Quinn paced the floor. "What happened when the cops showed up?"Iggy shook his head. "It went better than we thought. Noah took Mickey's advice and blamed it all on his dead crew. He said they jumped the gun.""Okay, good. Glad that it didn't go the other way." Knox took another deep breath and ignored the signs of fatigue. "And Mick, how is he really?""The doctors say he will be fine. The shoulder injury was nothing, he's had many of those types before and he just wrapped a bar towel around it and let it heal on its own."Mandy laughed a little."And his head?"Iggy shook his head, then rubbed both hands down the back to grip his hair. "So far they say it was just a graze. If it happened on any other part of his body, he could slap a band-aid on it and walk away but they are worried about internal bleeding and swelling.""Fuck." His next breath felt like he was about to be sick. He kept breathing shallowly and started to pace like Quinn did. "And when do we know for sure?""They took x-rays, scans, all that technical shit. Now we are just waiting for the results."That was a lot to take in within ten minutes of being there. But there was no use to drag it out, that would only make it worse. He just needed to remain as calm as possible, take deep breaths and try to push through it all."Any word about Noah?""Yeah, he's fine. Unfortunately." Iggy glared, cursing under his breath. "He's down the fucking hallway with a group of goons to protect him.""Well we are Mickey's group of goons." Knox pointed out and Mandy chuckled once again. "Make sense that he would want them too.""Ian should have killed him." Iggy spat."Speaking of Ian, how is he?" Mandy asked, standing next to them with the blanket wrapped around her."He's safe, for now. His wound wasn't as bad as I thought. A few stitches took care of it." They all seemed to take a collective breath of relief. It showed him just how much Ian meant to them, to all of them. "But I don't like him out there alone. The only reason I left is because he made me.”Iggy smiled. "Oh, he made you?""Yes, he did." Knox shoved at his shoulder playfully. "He wanted to know how Mickey was and was ready to climb back on the boat until I agreed to leave.""He is a tough bastard, I'll give him that." Iggy said with nothing but respect. Quinn gave a nod of agreement. "He's already tried to kill Noah on multiple occasions and given the chance, he'd do it again.""Yeah, I know he would and now I think that Noah understands that. He didn't take Ian seriously until recently and it could have killed him.""We can only wish." Mandy glared, then moved away from them. "I'm going for coffee.""Yes, please before I fall the fuck over." Quinn hugged her on the way out and slipped her some money. "Be careful."Now forced to wait, Knox took a seat in one of the many uncomfortable looking chairs. He leaned all the way back until his head hit the wall, then crossed his arms across his chest and shut his eyes. He was exhausted, mentally and physically. Just like the rest of them were.Iggy sat down beside him, close enough for their arms to touch. It was unnecessary, but the touch was welcome and comforting. For a while they just sat there, enjoying the silence, the dash of peace in a chaotic time."Ian is worried about Mickey." Knox said quietly. Iggy looked over, his eyes full of concern."Yeah, I imagine he is.""When we find out what's going on, I need to use your phone and call him."Iggy scrunched his eyebrows. "You left him your phone?"Knox nodded."I hope you taught him how to use it.""It took awhile, but he got the hang of it." Knox smiled. "I'll probably head back once we get all the details. He doesn't need to be alone.""You are fucking exhausted, man." Iggy noted each time Knox blinked, it got harder and harder to open his eyes. "You should let someone else go."Just as he was about to tell him no, that he needed to go personally, the door to their right opened and out walked a doctor in scrubs with a clipboard. They all stood, then Mandy came rushing back in, nearly spilling the tray of coffees."Family of Mickey Milkovich?""Yes." They all said together and the doctor smiled. He looked just as exhausted as they were, more so even."How is he?" Knox asked, crossing his arms across his chest."He is resting, which is what he needs." The doctor flipped through his stack of papers. "As you know, the wound to his shoulder was minor. The bullet went through, no internal bleeding and we were able to patch him up fairly quickly."Given that it was already known, they didn't sigh in relief,Knox did because to him it was new, hearing it from a medical professional was new and comforting to hear again."And the rest?" Iggy asked, getting impatient."As far as we can tell from all the tests and x-rays, his skull is not damaged in any way. It was a surface wound, meaning it only skimmed the side of his head. There are no signs of swelling or internal bleeding, which is what we were worried about."Now they took that deep breath, like someone pulled a rug from their feet and left them a little out of sorts for the moment."I am going to keep him in the coma overnight, possibly into tomorrow afternoon, just to be safe. But he is out of the woods."Knox wanted to reach out and hug the fuck out of him, but he didn't. He did hold his hand out and within seconds the doctor was shaking his hand, smiling in that knowing way. Behind them, Iggy was hugging Quinn, then Mandy, then Mandy and Quinn were hugging."I know it's after visiting hours, but I haven't had a chance to see him yet." Knox said when things quieted down around them. "Is there any way I can just pop in and make sure he is okay, please? I really need to see him."The doctor sighed and Knox knew he got his wish, even when it was against hospital protocol. "Just for a moment, but that's it. He needs to heal and you look like you're going to pass out.""Thank you!" Knox laughed, obviously delirious, but he reached out and briefly hugged him before he pulled away. Iggy handed him his phone without a word. "I'll be as quick as I can."Before anyone could say anything about anything, Knox was taking off down the hallway. He stopped at Mickey's door and peeked inside the window, only he couldn't see anything but a curtain drawn around the bed. As he opened the door, he used Iggy's phone and dialed his own, silently waiting for Ian to answer."Knox?" Ian asked moments later.Knox smiled. "Hey, yeah it's me. Any problems answering?""Took a second, I'm just not sure where I'm supposed to swipe this green button to, but it worked. How is he?"Knox waited until he pulled back the curtain and Mickey was in the bed, looking normal, aside from all the equipment plugged into him. He reached out and brushed a shaky hand through Mickey's hair."The doctor said he's fine. No swelling or bleeding in his brain, no other injuries that are life threatening."Ian took a deep, trembling breath. "Fuck."Knox smiled. "I'm with him right now and he looks pretty good.""What about the coma thing? What did his doctor say about that?""He said that Mickey needed to stay in it tonight, possibly most of tomorrow just to play it safe. But I have a feeling we'll be able to see him up and around before dark tomorrow."Ian took another shaky breath. "I wish I could be there. I'm fucking useless in here."Hearing Ian say "fuck" was becoming his new favorite thing. Knox laughed every time it happened. "You're not useless, Ian. You need to get better just like he does and at the same time. We both know as soon as he is allowed to leave, he's going to come see you first. We don't need to give him another reason to worry if you're not healing properly.”"Yeah, I guess." Ian sighed. "I just want to see him for myself."Knox understood that. It was exactly why he was in there right now when he wasn't supposed to be. Sometimes you just needed proof, to see it with your own eyes before you were sure of the doctor's words."I have an idea. I'm gonna hang up and call you back. Answer like you did the first time, okay?"Ian hesitated. "Okay…"Without explaining, Knox hung up, waiting a few minutes, then called back. Only this time he called using a video chat, making it so Ian could see Mickey, just like he did, just like he wanted to. Ian answered within seconds, but Knox couldn't see him."What was the point of this? We were already talking." Ian asked in an irritated huff.Knox laughed and pulled the phone back so his face lit up the screen. "Pull the phone away from your ear and look at me. Tell me what you see."Ian fumbled with the phone until Knox could see a little of his face. He was surprised, unsure of what was happening but he didn't question it. He held the phone back, just like Knox did and finally they could see each other."What is this?" Ian asked."It's a video call. It lets us see each other instead of just talking. Can you see me okay?"Ian nodded, tilting the phone, trying to understand the magic behind it. "This is very strange.""Yeah, it takes some time getting used to. But I wanted it like this to show you something."Ian's eyes darted around the room. "Okay…”"Just hold on for me." Knox pulled the phone away, then slowly turned it towards Mickey's bed. Ian inhaled sharply. "Now do you see why?""God." Ian gasped, his voice broken. "He looks awful like this."Knox set the phone down on Mickey's bed, propped up by the railing, then took a seat with his coffee. "It could be a million times worse, trust me. Don't mind all the wires and stuff, those are just to make sure he is in good health.""God, I wish I could just touch him.""You will, soon enough. Right now you both need to get some sleep, you need to feel better because we still have some shit to worry about."When Ian didn't reply to that, Knox got up and looked at the phone. Ian was asleep, laying back against the cave wall, still holding the phone. It fell a little, making Ian seem far away and a little crooked, but at least he was sleeping. He only let himself sleep after seeing if Mickey was okay."Don't worry, Ian," Knox said as he took the phone back. He couldn't help but smile at the two of them. "I'll take care of him and we'll see you soon." He ended the call just as the door opened."Come on, time to leave." The nurse waved him through, smiling. "You can see him tomorrow."Knox, slipped the phone into his pocket, then bent down and kissed Mickey's forehead before he walked out the door. Iggy, Mandy and Quinn were still in the waiting room, but something caught his eye down the other hallway.Before they noticed him, he slipped past them and slowly walked down the hall. At the far end had to be Noah's room because there were guards surrounding it like he was the President of the United States. But there was one person he thought he saw, that he couldn't have seen. It just wasn't possible.He moved closer, keeping his head down so as not to attract attention. Just before the group of guys, he stopped and acted like he was waiting at the front desk, but kept cutting his eyes over. He'd see it, then he wouldn't, then he would again, then he wouldn't. It was maddening.Then he really saw it. No, not it, but her. She wasn't supposed to be there. She wasn't supposed to be strapped in tactical gear, hanging around Noah's door. He just didn't understand.Sammi was standing not five feet from him, pacing the hallway.Knox kept blinking, trying to see if it was real or not and by the tenth time, he knew she was. Sammi, his long time girlfriend, was standing with Noah's men. She wasn't supposed to be anywhere near him at the moment. She was supposed to be working.Without wanting to alert the others, Knox tried to get her attention. After the millionth try, when he was about to say fuck it and just walk over there, she saw him. Her eyes widened like she'd seen a ghost. He waved her over then moved down the hallway away from them until she joined him."What the fuck are you doing?" He snapped at her. He pointed down the hallway. "Why are you with him?"Sammi stared him down. "First of all, you'd better check your tone before you talk to me again. And second of all, I told you I had a job coming up."Knox paused to take a deep breath or he'd be tempted to bark again. "Yeah, you did. You said you'd be near Ireland, not in Bermuda and certainly not working for a prick like Wilcox.""I didn't know who the contract was for until I was already on my way. The company who hired me was under a different name. I didn't even know it was Noah until after.""And what, you decide that it's a good idea to run out and hunt mermaids with him?" He snapped again, wondering why the entire time this had been going on that she hadn't told him, or how he managed to avoid seeing her. "Why didn't you tell me? You know we have bad blood with him and you fucking know he's a piece of shit. How can you work with him?"She put a hand on his arm, a soft touch that changed the entire feel of the conversation. As did her soft tone. "I didn't tell you because it's a long story. I've been trying to find a way to contact you without letting him know."Just as he was getting some answers, it all changed for the worse. Suddenly boots were stomping down the hallway, coming at them. Knox turned and saw Iggy, his face a mask of confusion and betrayal as he looked back and forth between them."Son of a bitch." Knox said to himself and just before Iggy reached them, he put her behind him and met Iggy's rage with raised hands. "Just take it easy.""Are you fucking kidding me right now?" Iggy snarled, pointing at her, at them. "Why the fuck is she working with them?""That's what I'm trying to figure out." Knox said calmly, trying to defuse the situation. It was already out of hand and now he was at odds with Iggy, his family. "I didn't know…"Iggy scoffed. "The fuck you didn't!! She's been working for him this entire time?""Igg, it's not that simple." He looked back to meet her worried eyes and that proved to be the wrong move. When he turned back, Iggy's tattooed fist was flying at his face. It connected with a thud and made his head jerk back. "Fuck!"Iggy was coming at him in full force. Panting like a bull, snarling, glaring, ready to take his head off. And he would have, if Quinn wasn't suddenly there pulling him back. All the commotion alerted Noah's guys and they all came running up to them, looking from him to her, to them, wondering what the hell was going on."You're a fucking traitor!" Iggy screamed and fought against Quinn's hold. "Mickey almost died because of that prick!"Knox held his nose, knowing that it was broken. There was no time to explain how wrong Iggy was, how he would never put any of them in danger on purpose because they were suddenly surrounded by security and being pulled away from each other."I can explain," Knox yelled across the hall to Iggy who was a raging, crying mess. Sammi was hunkered down behind him, trying to stay out of the officer's way. "It's not what you think, I promise.”"Don't wanna fucking hear it!" Iggy replied, all but barking at him like a ravenous dog.There was nothing else he could say because Iggy wouldn't listen. Security split them up and he made sure Sammi went with him to a different waiting room. He sat down, a towel pressed into his bloody nose while she rubbed his back. He shrugged her hand off, feeling betrayed also but knew she had to have a reason for all of this."There better be a damn good reason." Knox said and turned to face her. She was upset, but not crying. "Whatever this is, whatever you've done, probably just cost me my family."Sammi put her head in her hands, looking positively defeated. "I always have a reason, Knox. Always."He waited, watching, for her explanation. And after what felt like forever, she finally said it and he couldn't believe it."I'm the one who saved Ian that day. I'm the one who got him out of that net when Noah caught him."Knox expected a lot of things, but not that. Not even close. He literally didn't know what to say to her, or to think. He didn't know if he believed her or not, but she had his attention. He turned towards her, reeling in his anger.“Tell me everything.”
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The Devil’s TriangleChapter 15- Wish Granted The constant beeping of whatever machine he was hooked up to is what woke him up. Try dreaming of swimming in the ocean with a beauty mermaid, only each time he spoke it came out as a beep instead. That would irritate even the strongest person. The dream fell away with a blurry image of crystal clear blue water and he was suddenly back in the hospital room. Truth be told, he’d rather be in whatever dream that was. Ian couldn’t reach him in the hospital.The room was empty to his surprise. Given that he had at least four people able to see him, he thought he’d at least see one of them when he woke up. But there was nothing. The room was dark, the lights dimmed down so those fluorescent lights didn’t make his head pound, the beeping of that stupid machine...machines really, as he was hooked up to more than one. A look around let him know that someone had been there, empty coffee cups littered just about every surface, overflowed the small trash can in the corner and if he squinted hard enough, he could see Mandy’s jacket on the back of the door.And as comforting as that was, that his family hadn’t left him for very long, Ian wasn’t there. The one person he wished could be, couldn’t be and it hurt. It filled him with anxiety and worry, especially how they left each other. Scared and bloody. He knew Ian had been hurt, he’d seen the blood for himself and if he knew his family as well as he did, he knew they cleaned him up. But it didn’t make the panic go down, nothing would unless he could see him for himself, feel him, kiss him and check the wound for himself. Then maybe he would be okay.There was no telling how long he’d been out. The only thing he remembered after Ian left was passing out just before the cops and the ambulance could arrive. He was in and out of consciousness on the drive, snaps of Mandy crying and Quinn holding her hand was all he could recall. Then waking up hooked to machines, bandaged and being poked at by every doctor in the place. He could remember someone saying he’d been shot, multiple times, the talk of surgery that made his stomach turn, then nothing until that annoying beeping.Mickey sat up slowly, both hands on either side of the bed rail, he took a second to feel himself out. His head hurt, his stomach too, but nothing that screamed that he had in fact had that surgery. He wasn’t dizzy or groggy from meds, but he was starving and his stomach let out a rather frightening growl that let him know the only food he’d had since he arrived had been in a bag.Without knowing what to do with himself, aside from wanting to shove that machine over until it quit bitching at him, he hit the ‘nurse assist’ button on the side of his bed and waited. It didn’t take long, fifteen beeps later and his door was being opened by a woman wearing a full set of scrubs and a nice smile.“It’s good to see you awake.” She said and slipped on a pair of rubber gloves, then grabbed the blood pressure machine and pulled it to the side of the bed. “The doctor stopped the meds an hour ago and knew you’d be coming back.”“Coming back?” He asked, confused.“The doctor put you into a medically induced coma to help with the swelling in your brain.”Swelling, yeah, that would happen with head trauma but at the time he didn’t think it was that bad. “And how long have I been out?”She motioned for his arm and wrapped a blood pressure cuff around it, then hit a few buttons while it went to work. “Not too long. You were admitted last night and it’s only about two in the afternoon. Less than twelve hours.”That was comforting, he expected it to be something along the lines of a few days and he would be forced to catch up to what all had happened in that time. A few days out of the game was risky, Noah would have ample time to check out of the hospital and take up trying to find Ian again. And Ian being under the care of the others was also a comfort but there were things about Ian that they didn’t know, things that Ian wasn’t ready for. He’d already had to spend the night alone...or not alone...fuck.“Is there any way I can get out of here today?” Mickey asked, interrupting her as she kept trying to explain. She looked a little taken back. “I feel great and I’d like to leave.”“I can’t release you until the doctor says it’s okay, I’m sorry. A head injury like yours is very serious and you nearly went into surgery. Staying another night is probably what’s going to happen.”“No, I can’t stay another night. I have work, I have some family shit to take care of. You can’t keep me here.”She sighed and Mickey knew she wasn’t giving in, but also wasn’t going to fight with him on this. “We can’t do anything for now. But you’re awake and I will send for the doctor. Maybe he’ll let you have some real food this afternoon and we can see what he says.”The energy drained out of him so fast he fell back against the bed, making the machines rattle. He felt fine, kinda like a train hit him, but he was used to that already. “How about my family? Any idea where they are?”“We have a couple of big guys and a small girl in the waiting room, I assume they are with you?”He nodded and got a kick out of her calling Mandy a small girl. If she ever heard it, the nurse would have a black eye. “Yeah, they’re here for me.”“I will let them in and go get the doctor.”Mickey sighed, his head pounding and didn’t try to get back up or act like he was okay. It would take hours to see a doctor, they had other patients but at least it was a start. “Thank you.”It took exactly four minutes and fifteen seconds before the door was all but being smashed open and Quinn, Mandy and Knox came in. They looked like utter shit, tired, bloodshot eyes, dark bags, five o’clock shadow, smeared makeup and Knox had a black eye and bandages on his nose that hadn’t been there before. Iggy was nowhere to be seen.“Thank fuck you’re awake.” Mandy said and enveloped him in a tight hug. “It feels like that shit lasted forever.”Mickey hugged her back, feeling that anxiety dissipate the longer they touched. He was grateful to be there to hug her, to see them. “Yeah, it wasn’t exactly a party but it felt like I’d been asleep for days.” She backed up, her eyes wet with tears and Quinn came next, hugging him twice as hard and he didn’t even tell him to stop. “You guys okay?”Quinn pulled back. “Yeah, just worried about you.”Knox didn’t come forward, which wasn’t like him. Out of all of them, he was the biggest, the meanest looking and the softest. He was a hugger, someone who provided comfort for his family and it was unlike him to stay out of the way. Also his best friend. Something had happened, Mickey knew that for sure. There was a weird feeling all around them now. Quinn and Mandy kept their space from him, he wouldn’t meet Mickey’s eyes, he looked nervous, upset...he looked something.“What’s wrong?” Mickey asked, holding up his hand when Mandy went to explain, then Quinn. He kept his eyes on Knox. “She said I haven’t been out that long so what could have possibly happened?”Knox took a step closer. “It’s a long story.”“Abbreviate that shit for me then.” All of them traded looks and Mickey didn’t like the feel he was getting from them. They never kept anything from him. “If I have to get out of this bed and beat it out of all three of you, I will, so just fucking tell me.”Mandy stepped up. “It really is a long story, even the short version. But Ian is okay, that’s not what this is about. And Noah, he’s still in the hospital too so it’s not like he can do much harm.”Relief rushed through him so fast his head felt a little dizzy. Knowing it wasn’t Ian took so much fear away, then knowing Noah was still laid up helped. But what else was that important? Then it hit him. “Where is Iggy?”“He’s been staying with Ian.” Mandy said quickly. “Look, we learned some information about someone on Noah’s crew and we need to talk about it but we need Ian with us. It’s about him just as much as it’s about us.”“Get him on the phone.” Mickey barked and Quinn was the first to flinch and the first to dig his phone out and dial Iggy’s number. It took a few seconds but it connected. “Hey Igg, Mickey is awake and he wants to talk to you.”Mickey held his hand out.“No, we didn’t tell him yet.” Quinn said quickly, then held the phone out.Mickey put it to his ear. “If you give me the run around I’m going to kill your scraggly ass. Just fucking tell me.”“Is that Mickey!?”He could hear Ian’s voice as clear as day and smiled, his bad mood put on hold. He listened to Iggy trying to explain something to Ian, then a scuffle and then arguing before Iggy cursed and Ian was on the phone. He must have wrestled him for it, and won. Of course he did.“Mickey?”“Hey, baby.” Mickey shut his eyes, basking in the warmth from that one word. He wanted to cry. “Are you okay?”“Are you okay?” Ian countered without answering. “Iggy told me what’s been happening.”“I’m fine. Just wanna see you and get the fuck outta here.” He kept his eyes closed, afraid he’d wake up alone again and this was a dream. “Tell me how you are. I know you were hurt.”“I’m already healed. Knox helped me, took me somewhere safe. He even showed me how to use his phone thing so I could call him and see how you were doing.”When his eyes opened, they landed on Knox and he gave him his most grateful smile. Knox didn’t smile, but tilted his head because he knew. “Good. I’m glad he did. I was worried.”“You were worried?” Ian shouted and Mickey had to pull the phone away from his ear. “I had to leave you there with them and haven’t been able to see you and you were worried?!!”“I know you were too and I’m sorry.” Mickey felt when Ian sighed, almost like he did it himself. “But I’m fine and you’re fine and I’m getting out of here as soon as I can so I can see you.”“Good because I’m sick of being here and I want to see you.”“As soon as we can, I promise. But I need to talk to Iggy, okay? Can you put him on?”“Yeah, I suppose so.” Ian said sadly. “I love you.”“I love you too, Ian, so much,” Mickey waited a moment, hearing Ian mutter under his breath but the phone was handed back to Iggy and a switch had been flipped and he was back to being angry. “Tell me what the hell is going on. These assholes won’t tell me.”“Well, it’s a long fucking story. Half of which I don’t know because I was too mad to hear the rest. Knox came back last night and I heard him talking to one of Noah’s goons. Turns out, Sammi, his girlfriend, works for him.”Mickey’s eyes narrowed until Knox was all he could see. There was guilt when Knox wouldn’t meet his eyes and a secret was being kept. “Not that I approve or anything but she’s a grown ass woman. It’s kinda ballsy to date someone and work for his enemy but worse shit has happened.”“Not to me it hasn’t. He said he could explain but I didn’t want to fucking hear it. I punched him and took off to come see Ian.” Iggy gave a tired sigh and Mickey knew there was more. “What if the entire time we’ve been trying to avoid him, that she’s been in cahoots with Knox and them ratting us out? What if Noah finds us because Sammi and Knox tell him?”“You know that’s bullshit, man. It doesn’t matter if she’s working for him and Knox is working with us, he would never betray us like that.” Mickey met Knox’s watery eyes and there was no doubt about it. Knox wouldn’t do that to him. That was his best fucking friend. “Whatever the reason, I’m sure it’s complicated and hitting anyone doesn’t help.”“Everything for us has always been complicated but we don’t fucking lie about shit like that. Knox said he didn’t know but how do we know that? How can I believe that?”Mickey could hear the distress in his voice, he was close to tears just talking about it. Their friendship was called into question, their loyalty. Iggy was having a crisis and needed help to figure it out before it drove him insane and as his family, he was supposed to help him figure his way out of it.“He’s had your back every single day that you’ve known him. He’s risked his life for you, taken a bullet for you. You two are brothers and love each other or you wouldn’t be fighting like a goddamn married couple.” Mickey got a smile out of Knox, just a small one. “He deserves a chance to explain what’s going on before you start to question everything.”“You almost died because of Noah, Mickey. On more than one occasion. If she’s been a part of that this entire time then there is no way I can trust her or forgive what she did. And if he knew and did nothing, if he let it happen…” Iggy stopped, a ragged breath filling the silence.“I understand, man, I really fucking do. But all you’re giving me here are ifs and maybes and that’s not going to cut it. We need the entire story, then we figure out what we believe and how to handle that. Okay?” Mickey asked but didn’t wait for him to answer. “Look, I’m getting out of here today. I don’t give a shit what the doctor says. We need to figure this out, I need to see Ian and we need to get our asses home.”“What do you need me to do?”“Stay with him, that’s what I need. I’ll feel better if he isn’t alone. I’m gonna have Knox contact our guys in Puerto Rico about the rest of that shipment so we aren’t in deep shit and won’t get paid.” He looked at Knox and he left without a word. “I’m sending Quinn to find us somewhere to hole up for when I get out and we can sort this shit out. Gotta be a waterfront for Ian.” Quinn left just like Knox did, leaving him with Mandy. “Mandy is going to hurry the staff up and get me the fuck outta here.”Mandy grinned. “I can do that.”“What about Sammi?” Iggy asked.“When Knox gets done with handling our business, he can bring her too. If something is going down with Noah, I want the full story from her.” Mickey rubbed his head where it began to pound halfway through the conversation. “We take this one step at a time like we have been doing. I get why you’re pissed, I would be too if you were lying here instead. But button it up and keep your head. We have a lot to do.”“You make it sound so easy.” Iggy said sarcastically but gave a light laugh. “Have Quinn call me about the location and I’ll make sure Ian gets there without any trouble.”Before he could hang up, it occurred to him once again that if Iggy had been there since last night and was still there now, that he’d seen Ian’s change. He hadn’t said anything to indicate it happened, but it was unstoppable. Iggy had to have seen it.“Did anything happen last night?” Mickey asked, fearful about bringing it up if maybe it hadn’t happened like he thought it did. “With Ian I mean.”“You mean did I wake up to see Ian with a long ass set of legs? Yeah, that happened.” Iggy laughed. “I’ll admit, it freaked me the fuck out. I thought he was dying or something but nope, just growing legs.”“Oh, shut up!” Ian chimed in. “I can’t help it.”Mickey laughed the worry away and his heart returned to its normal pace. “Sorry about the surprise. I probably should have warned you, or he should have but you see why we didn’t? He’s not your everyday mermaid.”“Trust me, I get it. I’m not sure I would have believed it without seeing it for myself but I understand. And I didn’t tell the others. Ian didn’t tell me much about what’s going on with that but he said to wait for you before the rest of them know.”“Yeah, that’s also a long story for another time and it’s up to Ian if he wants anyone else to know. But thank you for not freaking out too much. It’s a sensitive topic.”“Yeah, so I’ve seen. Don’t worry, I’ll keep my mouth shut. Just hurry this stuff up cuz we are both tired of being here.”“Will do, thanks.” Mickey ended the call before Iggy did and turned to Mandy. “Ready to piss off everyone in this place?”Mandy cracked her knuckles dramatically. “Oh yeah, we'll be out of here within an hour.”**It took less than an hour for Mandy to fight their way out of the hospital. She used everything she had to get him discharged with a sack full of meds and whatever paperwork he needed for work. He’d never loved her more. Knox touched base with him, confirming that their delivery could be put on hold until after he was feeling better, which meant on the way home, they’d need to make a stop to deliver. Quinn got them another villa, under a fake name to throw Noah off, this one far away from Noah and the hospital and they were currently on their way now.It took a little over two hours just to drive there in the rental car Mandy put on his credit card...but of course she would. Mickey spent the time sleeping off the rest of his injuries and whatever meds they pumped him full of. Movement was a little difficult. He was sore and really should have stayed another night but he just couldn’t. One night away was too long.Iggy confirmed Ian was already there waiting. He got him on the boat safe and sound and made sure they got there in one piece, unseen. After that, he told Mandy to drive faster and almost got a speeding ticket along the way but they made it and he’d never been more excited. He got out, pushing Mandy’s hand away as she tried to help him, he left his bag and his meds and power walked inside.It was probably a nice place, just like the rest of them had been, but he didn’t see it. He didn’t talk to anyone, but stopped briefly to pull Iggy into a hug before he was storming outside through the back door. Ian was sitting on the ledge of the slanted deck, his lower half in the water, his trail swishing back and forth. He looked as beautiful as he had the very first time he saw him and every day after that and Mickey just wanted to cry. He let out a gasping sound of relief and Ian turned, green eyes instantly on him.“Mickey.”Without thinking why not or that he should take it easy, he slid across the deck, being propelled by the water until he was against Ian’s side, cupping his face. They were already crying, smiling. “Ian.”“You look…”Mickey laughed. “Like shit? Yeah, I know.”Ian shook his head. “I was going to say perfect.”With a fluttering heart, Mickey leaned in, pressing their heads together. His thumb swiping across Ian’s cheek, then across his delicate gulls. “You look perfect, Ian. You’re glowing.”“It’s just the sun I’m sure.”“No, it’s not.” Mickey licked his lips. “It’s just you.”Their kiss was chaste, all things considered. They should have jumped head first into one of those long, passionate, heart melting kisses, but there was no need. Just a touch of their lips was all they needed. They drew strength and love from each other from that simple kiss, sharing smiles in between, little rubs of their noses. A single kiss and Mickey was ready to explode with happiness. Mutual ‘I love yous’ were shared, Mickey pressed one too many kisses across Ian’s face, his neck, the top of one shoulder, just showering him in affection and Ian glowed brighter because of it.“You really scared me.” Ian whispered, his smile vanishing. “You made me leave.”Mickey nodded, still holding Ian’s face, to keep himself grounded. “It was the right decision. It kept you safe.”“It kept me away.”“Yeah, but safe.” Mickey kissed his lips again. “Imagine what would have happened if you stayed. You’d be somewhere I couldn’t reach you. Being poked and prodded for information if they didn’t just outright kill you.”Ian shuddered.“I know it was hard but it was the right choice.”“I shouldn’t have attacked him like that. It was stupid and careless and it went so wrong.” Ian pressed into Mickey’s palm. “I didn’t mean for it to happen.”This is one of those things they hadn’t talked about. What Noah shared about them, about their history. Mickey didn’t know what Ian would think of him and Ian probably didn’t know what something like that happened in the first place.“Trust me, if you hadn’t done it, I would have. And I’m sorry that I didn’t tell you about Noah. It’s not something I’m proud of, and I know a lot of people wouldn’t understand.” Mickey shut his eyes and for a moment he could pretend it never happened. “I wish it never happened.”“We all have people in our life we wished we never met.” Ian linked his hand with Mickey’s and pressed it to his chest. “It doesn’t matter what the reason behind it all was, or that we should have known better. We all make mistakes. We all choose the wrong people to love or to trust, we just have to learn from the mistakes we made.”“Trust me, I’ve learned my lesson.” Mickey promised and Ian smiled. “I know you have, too. But I just didn’t want you to think there was something between Noah and I. Because what happened then was out of my control.”“I know. And it’s over.” Ian kissed their hands softly. “We are together and he is nothing. He’s not a part of us.”Mickey smiled sadly. Ian still didn’t know the entire story or his meaning behind what he’d said, but at least he wasn’t upset with him. At least not yet. But that also had to wait. “No, he’s not.”They kissed again, moving at the same time, and this time it was more than just a soft kiss. Mickey tilted Ian’s jaw just enough to capture his bottom lip, sucking on it lightly as he pulled away and Ian let out a soft, needy sound. So he did it again, and again, the sound making its way down his body in a wave of heat that settled in his groin. By the time he pulled back, Ian was halfway in his lap, gripping at his hair, panting against his mouth.“Fuck, I missed you.” Mickey chucked and rubbed across Ian’s flushed cheeks. “One night away was really too long.”“Maybe we can have tonight to ourselves.” Ian suggested and the look in his eyes spoke volumes.Mickey nodded, eyeing his lips again. “I’m all yours whenever you want.” With another kiss, this one over far too quickly. Mickey pulled back and put some distance between them. “Did Iggy tell you what’s been happening?”“No, he just said it was bad and that we needed to wait for you. I only heard when he told you a little of what’s going on but I don’t really understand.”“Yeah, I don’t either. It’s got something to do with Knox and his girlfriend.”“Knox showed me a picture of her when he gave me his phone and I swear she looked so familiar.” Ian shook his head when it wouldn’t come to him. “Like I’ve seen her before and I don’t see how that’s possible.”“I guess we’ll find out exactly what happened while we were gone.” Mickey looked out at the water. The sun was starting to set. “We need to talk about if you’re going to tell the others about you, about your legs.”Ian looked out at the water as well, then laid his head on Mickey’s shoulder and wound one arm through his. “Iggy handled it much better than I thought anyone would. I knew he had a lot of questions but didn’t ask me or push me into telling him.”Mickey smiled. He wanted to be surprised at Iggy’s attempt not to panic, even though he knew he would. He did the right thing. “Iggy’s good like that.”“I think we should tell them. They have done a lot for me and it doesn’t seem fair to keep them in the dark about it.”Telling anyone was a big step. Ian had been reluctant to tell him and they were in love. Now to put his secret into the hands of more humans, even when he’d grown to like them, to have their respect and loyalty. Hell, Mickey had that his entire life from the same people and yet only Mandy knew his darkest secret. He couldn’t push Ian into doing that when he couldn’t do it for himself.“It won’t matter to them.” Mickey wrapped his arm around Ian when he tensed. “I mean of course they will care about it and I’m sure they’ll have questions. What I meant to say is that it won’t change anything. They will still like you and help you. They’ll still care about you.”Ian nodded. “I never thought I’d be trusting so many humans like I do. Especially with my life.”Mickey smiled.“But they’re important to me. Not nearly as important as you, but they are next on the list. They saved me, Mickey, just as you would have.”He laughed, making Ian smile. “Well, I hope I’m always at the top of your list.”Ian lifted his head for a kiss. “You’ll always be my first human, Mickey.”There was a light knock at the back door and they both turned to see Iggy standing there. Mickey waved him over and he sat at the table closest to them. “Sorry to interrupt but I can’t be in there.”“You’re fine. We were just about to call everyone out and get this started.” Mickey met Iggy’s eyes and he’d never seen them look so grim before. Full of hurt and anger and confusion. “Ian decided he wanted to tell everyone.”Iggy’s eyes widened. “I didn’t expect that.”“I didn’t want anyone to know, not even Mickey at first, especially not the rest of you, but when you didn’t freak out about it, it made me think telling everyone wouldn’t be as bad as I thought.”When all Iggy did was gale open mouthed at him, Mickey laughed. “Finally made a good impression, Igg. I knew you could do it.”“Oh, fuck off.” Iggy snapped out of it and flipped him off. “That is not what I expected to wake up to last night so give me a break. I think telling them is the way to go about it, after everything we’ve been through. But you might not want to share that until after Knox’s girlfriend leaves. Just to be sure.”“I don’t want her to know.” Ian interjected at the strange name, already on defense.Mickey nodded his agreement and Iggy seemed grateful. “Then she won’t know. We can wait until it’s just us.” Ian sagged against him. “Wanna go get them so we can get this started?”Iggy stood. “I hope you’re right about this shit. Because I was literally about to take his fucking head off.”Mickey reached out before he got too far away and squeezed his hand for a moment. “Whatever it is, we can handle it.”“He’s afraid.” Ian said when Iggy slipped back inside. “And sad.”“Yeah, he is. He wants to know what’s going on but he doesn’t want the answer.”“Can it really be that bad?”Mickey shrugged. “I have no idea. It didn’t sound bad when iggy told me what he knew but I’m sure whatever explanation Knox’s girlfriend has can’t be as cut and dry as we hope it will.” He squeezed Ian closer to his body, then kissed his hair. “Noah is involved and that’s never a good thing.”The door opened again and Iggy came out first with a beer in his hand. Then Quinn who had Mandy under one arm...which didn’t irk his attention as much as it should have. Then Knox stepped out, moving towards the other side of the deck away from Iggy and seconds later Sammi stepped out, still dressed in tactical gear, looking as gloomy as the rest of them. They all met each other’s eyes, but when hers met his, then moved to Ian’s, they widened, her mouth dropping open.“Is that him?” She asked, pointing as she inched forward.Ian tensed beside him and he hugged him tighter, then put his hand out, stopping her from getting closer. “Yes, that’s him and you don’t need to point. He’s not a side show.”“No, of course not. I’ve just never seen one up close in a while.” She stopped walking, and couldn’t stop smiling at him. “You’re beautiful.”Ian looked back and forth between her and Mickey, uncertain. “I know.”Everyone laughed but her and Ian, Iggy even snorted beer up his nose and had to cough his way to freedom. She blushed a little and backed towards Knox, giving them space once again. “Okay, I don’t want to waste any time here and I’m really not in the mood for any fighting so let’s just get right to the point and if you want to fight with each other after, do it where I don’t have to see it.”Iggy glared at Knox, Knox looked down at his hands. Everyone seemed to agree, otherwise there would have been an argument.“Okay, good. Glad to see we all agree.” Mickey turned slightly so he could see all of them without straining his neck. Ian followed, keeping contact with him at all times. “Knox, how about you start with what happened when you got to the hospital last night.”Knox nodded and stood up, making sure his shoulders were squared and his chin was high. Showing no fear, hiding no secrets. “I came back from seeing Ian and the nurse told me I could go check on you. So I did, talked with Ian a little , and when I was leaving I saw Sammi out in the hallway with the rest of Noah’s men. It’s obvious she’s been working for them, I don’t know how long exactly. She told me she had a job in Ireland, but it was canceled last minute and the job with Noah came along. She said the company was under a different name and that she didn’t know it was about Noah until last minute.”Mickey didn’t speak for a second, but he did look at Mandy and knew from experience that she would check the story. She gave a curt nod, confirming she had and that so far Sammi was telling them the truth. “Okay, that I believe. And did you two talk about why she was really with Noah?”Both Sammi and Knox nodded at the same time. “The first thing she told me was that she had been the one who helped Ian that day when he was caught on the rocks in Miami.”He and Ian sucked in air at the same time, gasping. Mickey could feel Ian shaking against his arm, not afraid but actually in shock. He looked back, green eyes were as wide as he’d ever seen them. “Ian?”“I knew she looked familiar.” He said in a hurry. “Knox gave me his phone to use and there was a picture of her on the screen. I kept thinking I knew her but it didn’t make any sense.”Mickey glanced at Sammi who had a sympathetic expression on her face. She wasn’t guarded or hiding anything. She simply looked relieved that Ian was there. “Are you sure it was her, Ian?”“Absolutely. I only remember seeing one woman that day and it was her. She untangled me from the same net my friend had been in. She only had time to cut one side before the rest of Noah’s men came around the side of the boat.” Ian sucked in a shaky breath. “I was able to slip out just as they took a shot at me but she couldn’t get out.”“That’s when he hit you with the tracking device.” Mickey said, connecting the dots. “And you were near my place when it happened.”Mandy spoke up. “He had to be. I saw him the day before you guys came home from your last run. I saw him but he didn’t stick around.”Mickey looked to Sammi, his jaw clenching, his emotions on the fritz. “Why did you help him?”“Because he needed my help.” Sammi said simply but her voice was stern. “I love the sea and everything in it. I’m a marine biologist. It’s my job to help and understand ways to make the ocean a safer place. I took the job because someone asked for me specifically and I knew the company had to have a lot of money to pull strings like that. I was going to funnel it back into the program we have to help save marine life.” She wiped her eyes and took a deep breath. “I didn’t know that Noah was out hunting mermaids until that day, until he captured two of them.”Iggy stood, beer bottle clenched in one hand while he pointed at her in an accusatory way. “How the fuck didn’t you know, hmm? What, you just sit in a corner the whole trip and they don’t give you any information?”It was harsh, but Mickey was wondering the same thing. “He has a point. I know Noah is a real piece of work but he barks orders to his men every single moment of the day. How did you not hear anything?”Sammi wiped her eyes. “Because I wasn’t with the rest of the crew. He had me locked in the belly of his ship trying to find marine life. He had all the paperwork required to put tracking devices on sharks. I saw them with my own eyes and called about them and it was all confirmed. I was doing my job, trying to find out where they were located.”Mickey glanced at Mandy, who nodded, then got up and headed inside. She was going to see if Sammi was telling the truth about that as well. “And when did you know he was lying out his ass?”“When he called all of the others to the deck. I was told to stay there but I wanted to see the sharks. So I went up and they were all roaming around the boat in a panic. I went to the opposite side of the ship and saw them caught in a net.”“And why did you help them and not tell Noah?” Mickey asked. “I’m sure there would have been a lot of cash in it for you.”“Like I said, I help animals, creatures. I didn’t want to be any part of what he was doing. I cut Ian free because I had the time but they came over before I could get the other one out.”The door opened and Mandy stepped out, nodding her head yet again to confirm Sammi’s story. It was looking up, but he still didn’t fully understand. “I believe that, but why stay? When you knew what Noah was doing, because it had to be obvious at that point, why didn’t you just leave?”Sammi shook her head. “I was able to save Ian because I was there. If I hadn’t been, they both would have died. I stayed so I could help more mermaids if Noah managed to catch them. I didn’t know what else to do.”Iggy stood. “You could have told someone. Anyone. Us, your boyfriend, the authorities. Anyone and you didn’t say shit.”“I was the newest one on his crew. If word got out what he was doing, he would have known it was me. Then what? What if he would have just shot me and fed me to the damn sharks? How would that help anyone?” She shot back, getting angry. “I’m a grown woman here, Iggy. I don’t need anyone’s permission, so fuck you. I did what I thought was right. And I’m the one who saved Ian’s life.”Mickey smiled because she was right. As good as it would have been to have some kind of idea what Noah had been planning, she didn’t work for him. She wasn’t a part of their crew. She was Knox’s girlfriend. She didn’t have to answer to them.“I didn’t send Noah after Mickey, I didn’t give Noah intel on where you guys were and what you were doing because I didn’t know. And if I had, I’d still never do that because I love Knox. He didn’t even know I was with Noah until last night and he’s just as pissed at me as you are.”“Mickey, she’s right.” Ian whispered and tugged Mickey’s arm closer to his chest. “She saved me. That’s why I remember her.”Mickey nodded. “Thank you, Sammi.” Everyone stopped talking and looked at him, surprised. Especially her. “You saved Ian.”“Yes, thank you.” Ian repeated and smiled. “I wouldn’t even be here without your help. I wouldn’t have met Mickey.”Sammi smiled even when her bottom lip quivered. “I’m sorry I couldn’t help your friend, or got you out before you got hurt. I went out that night after we docked at the marina and tried to find you but I didn’t even know where to look.”“I was by the lighthouse, trying to stay out of the water.” Ian said shyly and looked at Mickey with a worried smile. “I was hurt, yes but there was another reason I was out there.”Mickey narrowed his eyes, and caught Iggy doing the same. “Ian, I thought you didn’t want her to be here.”“That was before I knew she saved me. She didn’t have to. She could have let them take me but she didn’t. She risked herself so I could get out. She didn’t hurt me then, why would she now?”“I just want you to be sure.” Mickey said in reply and linked their hands.“I’ve seen you somewhere before.” Sammi said randomly and everyone looked at her with a strange look. “I think that’s why I helped you, I mean aside from wanting to help you just because it was the right thing to do. You remind me of someone.”“Who?” Ian was the one to ask.Sammi shook her head and turned to look at Knox. “Is my bag inside?” He nodded. “Just give me a second. I have a book in my bag.”They all traded looks as she all but ran inside. Mickey didn’t like where this was going, but she could be seeing someone in Ian that wasn’t there. Maybe he just reminded her of someone she once knew. It was possible, at this point, anything was possible. They weren’t kept waiting long because she came out a moment later with a large book, teary eyes and a hand over her mouth like she couldn’t find the words.“What is it?” Knox asked, standing to help her back over to their side of the deck. “What’s wrong?”“I can’t believe it.” Sammi laughed but she was still crying so it came out as a sob, then a hiccup. “I knew I’ve seen you somewhere before. Hundreds of times actually. Drawings and paintings and sketches , all of you.”Ian shifted, back to being uncomfortable. “Why?”“When I was little, my grandfather used to tell me bedtime stories about mermaids. He would tell me tales right out of a fairy tale book, tales about one mermaid in particular. A mermaid with hair like the sunset and eyes the color of seaweed.”The entire deck sat there, eyes wide, surprised. Listening intently.“He told me that one mermaid was someone very important to us, to our family. He said that long ago, hundreds of years ago, his ancestors helped a mermaid become human.”Mickey stood up and Ian held onto his legs. “Let me see that book.” Sammi seemed shaken, but handed the book over without a fight. “If you’re spinning a story here, don’t.”“I swear on my life, this is what I was told.” Sammi insisted. “There are journal entries and sketches and proof that my ancestors helped a mermaid,” she pointed to Ian. “That mermaid, become human.”The book was old. Like hundreds of years old. He could feel it in the binding and the pages. The words were written by hand, the ink almost faded. The more he looked, the more he could see and what he saw surprised him. There was proof, sketches, paintings. All of Ian and not just the hair and eyes put on a body that looked nothing like Ian, but it was Ian. His tail, both yellow in the sunlight and green at night. But then of Ian with legs, human legs. Sitting on a beach and smiling up at the sun, some of him walking, wearing shoes and shorts. It was Ian.“This has to be fake.” Mickey whispered. Ian tugged on his leg and he handed the book down, Ian gasped. “What all did your ancestors have to say about that?”“He said that one man, he used to be a witch or used some kind of voodoo priest; was about to transform a mermaid into a human. In that book is an entire journal. From the first time he saw the mermaid and how they met and what they talked about. Then how they fell in love and that the mermaid wanted to be with him so much that he wished for legs.”Mickey swallowed thickly.“Whatever he did worked because it’s all documented.” Sammi laughed. “He finally had legs and they could be together.”“Mickey.” Ian gasped again, he had tears streaming down his face. “This can’t be real. But it is. It’s real. All of it. The journal...it says things that no one else could know about.”Mickey clenched his teeth and met Iggy’s shocked expression. He knew the rest were just as shocked, more so even but he couldn’t deal with that just yet. “Like what?”“Like his name.” Ian said quietly, his thumb brushing over the name dug into the paper so hard it almost ripped. “His name is in here.”“What was it?” Mickey asked quietly. Sammi was still staring at Ian like he was some sort of God.“When we met, he told me his name was Dan Wédo. I just called him Danny.” Ian said flatly, no sense of fondness as he remembered. No longing. “I never told anyone else his name.”Mickey swallowed thickly again. Not wanting to believe it but it was right there in front of them. How could they deny actual evidence? “Mandy, do me a favor and look that name up. I want to see if anyone else has used it before.”“Okay, but is this entire thing real?” Mandy asked what they’d all been wondering. “Can Ian turn into a human?”The book was closed and handed back up. Mickey grabbed it and handed it back to Sammi. She took it with that same smile, her eyes still on Ian’s. “Just look up the name first.” He could tell she wanted to argue but didn’t. She opened her phone and went to work.“Okay, I have the name, Dan Wédo. It says that he was a loa, which are the spirits of Voodoo. Wédo is a loa of the waters in the form of a great serpent.” Mandy gave a low hum. “That’s about all it says on him. But these Gods, or spirits, whichever you want to call them have been around for centuries. They were worshiped at some point, people make offerings and sacrifices to them in hopes of getting their wishes or desires granted.”And that was it. The reason. Ian wished to be human. He wanted to see the world and somehow, someway that seemed nearly impossible, a spirit of the water heard his call and gave him what he wanted. It might seem like magic, but there had been a price. Ian used him to get what he wanted and whatever spirit that was, hadn’t liked the end result.“Oh, my God,” Ian cried, putting his head in his hands. He let his thoughts overtake his mind for a moment before he spoke up. “Mickey…”Mickey sat back down and Ian pressed so close to him that they were nearly one person. “What is it?”“Mandy said he was a spirit, people made sacrifices to get what they wanted.”“Yeah, but you didn’t have to do that. He just gave you what you wanted.” Mickey narrowed his eyes when Ian shook his head quickly, then he saw the tears.“There was a sacrifice, I just didn’t know what it was until after.” Ian pressed his face into Mickey’s chest and felt all that pain from all those years ago as if it just happened. “My family.”Mickey’s eyes widened and he knew. And when he knew, tears came to his eyes as well. There had been a sacrifice. Ian got what he wished for and the God, or spirit, or whatever the hell he was, got what he wanted in return. Ian’s family. They’d been killed just after Ian was cursed. Slaughtered. Ian assumed it was hunters or fisherman but it wasn’t. The same person who gave him legs, killed his family.“Oh, fuck.” Mickey wrapped his arms around Ian as he started to bawl. His entire body was shaking, sobbing into his chest. Feeling guilty all over again. “It wasn’t your fault. You couldn’t have known.” He whispered and kissed his hair. It didn’t help. Ian only got worse. “You didn’t know.”“It’s really true.” Mandy said and she also had tears in her eyes. “All of it?”Iggy looked at him, asking his permission and if he wasn’t so caught up with Ian, he would have told them. Iggy was trying to help and Mickey allowed him to.“It’s true. But the story got one part wrong. They didn’t live happily ever after. Ian changed his mind along the way and didn’t want to be human anymore. Whoever that was, whoever helped him also cursed him.” Iggy met Sammi’s eyes and her smile vanished. “He gave Ian his tail back but failed to mention he’d have legs a few hours every morning before the sun comes up.”Mickey listened as Ian cried, as he poured his heart out. And it felt like his was breaking because of it. It was one thing to guess your family died one way because of your actions, but to actually know they died because he got wanted...that had to be an indescribable feeling of guilt and shame and self hatred. Ian already regretted the entire thing, now he hated himself because of it.“That wasn’t in the book.” Sammi said, confused.Iggy laughed and he knew it sounded cold and a little evil. “You think that book is something special, don’t you? When really it’s the reason Ian is the way he is. Don’t you get it? Your ancestor offed his entire family. There doesn’t need to be proof for it to be real. Ian knows it’s real.”Sammi didn’t look as happy and excited anymore. In fact, she looked a little green, her hand around her stomach like she was about to be sick. Mickey knew that feeling, he was feeling it too. This was something he couldn’t fix no matter what he said or how hard he tried. He couldn’t force Ian to believe him about it not being his fault. It was, but had Ian known the price beforehand, he never would have asked.“Iggy.” Mickey called him off even when he was done. Iggy shook his head and sat back down, chugging what was left of his beer. Now all eyes were on him. “Ian didn’t know there would be a price for asking what he wanted. He thought this guy was a human who loved him. Who wanted to help him. He didn’t think it would cost him his family.”Mandy wiped her eyes. “I’m so sorry, Ian.”“I get why you were excited.” Mickey said to Sammi and offered a sad smile. She didn’t return it. “It would have been an interesting story without the rest. But now…”She nodded. “No, I understand and I’m also very sorry, Ian. There’s nothing in there that said that’s what happened and now I know why. It’s just...awful and I’m so sorry.”Ian shifted in his arms, not pulling away but turning his head enough to look out at the others. Mickey kept a firm grip around him, like he was literally the only thing holding Ian together in that moment. That if he let go, Ian would chip into pieces.“Alright, everyone inside.” Iggy stood and instructed all of them to the door. “They need a minute.” One by one they stood, Sammi even left the book behind and Iggy grabbed it, walked it over to them and set it down. “Take as much time as you need. Okay?”Mickey nodded and was surprised Ian reached out and grabbed Iggy’s hand, squeezing it tightly for a moment. Iggy seemed shocked too, but smiled just before he left them alone. “Do you want to talk about it?”Ian shook his head, his hand now balled into Mickey’s shirt. He pressed it against his face. “I don’t want to talk about it. Ever.”“Just tell me what you need.”“I need to forget.” Ian shut his eyes, clinging to Mickey with all his strength. “I need to take back what I asked. I need to be happy with what I had. I need my family.”That was something Mickey couldn’t do. Not even when he wished he could make it all better for him. To take away his pain and suffering. “If I knew how, I wouldn’t hesitate to help you. I hope you know that.”“I do, but it doesn’t change anything. They are dead because of me. Because I couldn’t be happy with what I was, with all that I had. I just had to have more. And it cost me my family, all my happiness, I’m cursed because of it.”Mickey held him tighter when he felt his shoulders tremble, he was crying again. “I’m sorry, Ian. I really am.”“No more than I am.” Ian replied and his voice cracked.They sat there together for hours. Mickey held Ian, his back screaming from the angle, his head pounding. He needed sleep and food and to heal but he couldn’t. He couldn’t just leave him there. So, he held him. He kissed his hair and his temple. He even hummed a little tune he remembered from the car ride there with Mandy. It didn’t help, Ian didn’t talk, but it was something.It was better than nothing. Pain like that took a long time to overcome, to accept and be able to forgive yourself. They were in it for the long haul now and Mickey wouldn’t leave him.The others came outside a time or two. They offered silent comfort, just the feeling of family being there for them both. Mickey did his best to say thank you without saying it and they knew. They understood.Eventually Ian stopped crying, when he couldn’t cry anymore. Mickey could feel how weak he was, how tired and drained but refused to move into the water. So Mickey did it for him. He slid down until most of Ian’s body was in the water, then laid back against the deck and Ian gave a deep, exhausted sigh and curled up into his chest. It hurt to lay down, it hurt for Ian to lay on him but Ian hurt in a way he couldn’t fix. It was the least he could do to try and ease his pain.The night waned on. Growing darker faster. Eventually everyone came back outside, aside from Sammi. Mickey didn’t look back and greet them, but he could smell whatever food they cooked, he could hear the clink of beer bottles and the delicate turning of pages. They all sat together in silence. Not a single word passed through their lips and it was just comforting.When Ian started to shift uncomfortably against him, Mickey looked up at the sky and didn’t realize that it was almost dawn. They’d all be out there so long, that it was almost time for Ian to change. Mickey glanced around and met Iggy’s eyes. They had a silent conversation and within seconds a blanket was being set down next to him.“Give them a warning, but now is not the time for questions and shit.” Mickey whispered and Iggy stood up and went to tell them. “You okay?”Ian shook his head. “No.”“Do you want them to leave?”“I don’t care one way or another.”Mickey sighed, wondering what he was supposed to do. This was not how Ian was. He cared about everything, always. He was never quiet like this, detached. It was concerning. “Are you in any pain?” He asked and squinted as the sun began to rise.“I don’t feel anything.” Ian whispered and didn’t move an inch.The higher and higher the sun rose, the more Ian was supposed to be feeling the change. He was supposed to be in agony, writhing and cursing the one who brought him this hell. But he was just laying there, he didn’t speak unless he was spoken to, he didn’t move, or flinch or curse. It was like he didn’t really feel anything.There were gasps behind them, everyone taking in the change. They watched a beautiful blue tail transform into legs like magic. Evil, unwanted magic. Ian didn’t even move to cover himself like he had before. Mickey was the one who grabbed that blanket and tossed it around Ian’s naked body.“Ian…” Mickey whispered, nearly begging for a sign of what to do.Ian moved away, untangling from Mickey’s body until he lay flat on his back and looked up at the sky. “Just leave me alone.”Mickey swallowed his heart, unable to speak for a moment because it just hurt too much to take in. Ian was pulling away from everything...from him. All that he was feeling was too much to let anything else in, anything like love and family. The love they had for each other. It was blocked by a wall of grief and hate.“I don’t want to leave you alone.” Mickey said at last, sitting up to wipe his face. Ian didn’t even look over at him but he could see the tears sliding down his cheeks. “I love you.” Ian only replied with a single word and Mickey felt like his entire heart had been ripped from his chest.“Don’t.”
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The Devil’s TriangleChapter 16– AloneIan had been MIA for over four days.Mickey went to bed that night inside, after Ian left, saying he needed time alone to think. He left without so much as a goodbye, no kiss, no touching their hands in that soft way he was used to, not even eye contact. He slipped into the water, leaving him all alone. Mickey hadn’t slept a wink that night, he lay awake in bed, staring out at the ocean from his window, wondering what was happening, if he and Ian were still together or not because it didn’t feel like it.Ian told him not to love him. Aside from not saying it back, hearing that hurt more than getting shot.The next morning, he let the boys handle the business side, getting his boat ready for the trip home. Mandy was going over details with Sammi about Ian and the book and what it all meant. He spent the entire day out on the deck, waiting for Ian. He never showed. Day trickled into night, and he still hadn’t been back.It was day four now, they were all packed on the boat, save for Mandy and Sammi who chose to fly, and they were all headed home. They dropped off their last shipment in Puerto Rico the morning before and now it was a full day trip back to Miami. There was still no sign of Ian and Mickey was losing his mind, full of anxiety and fear that maybe something happened, maybe Noah finally caught him or worse...that maybe Ian didn’t want to be with him anymore.Ian’s past was full of demons and darkness, they already knew that much, but learning that it was his fault it happened, just added to it. It was too much to bear, given that Ian hadn’t returned. Mickey couldn’t imagine what he must be feeling, what he must be thinking, but he knew he didn’t have to do it all alone. He finally had people who loved him, who cared about what happened to him and if he was okay, or to help him if he wasn’t okay. But maybe it wasn’t enough, maybe Ian felt like he didn’t deserve them, or him and their relationship.Mickey didn’t know and that’s what was killing him. He could handle a lot, he already had, he could deal with the pain and the guilt and Ian not wanting to talk to him about it, that he could understand. But silence? Ian not even being around anymore…he couldn’t take it. His entire body hurt, and not from the incident with Noah, his heart hurt for Ian. He didn’t know how to fix it, or if he even could because right now, it felt like Ian was gone forever.At night, when everyone but Knox was asleep, Mickey stayed on the deck. He bundled up against the harsh wind on the water and sat as close to the edge as he could without falling in. He waited for Ian, not knowing if Ian knew where they were, or why they just left. They left because they had to and Ian showed no interest in staying. He didn’t want Ian to be lost, alone out there with no one to help him.In the morning, Mickey let Iggy shuffle his crying ass down to the belly of the boat. Iggy rolled him into bed, bundling him up to keep him from shivering. He tried to talk to him, he tried to give him hope, but Mickey didn’t want to hear it. He shut Iggy out, pulling the blankets above his head and cried until he couldn’t stay awake any longer. His dreams were nothing but Ian, of them together and happy, swimming and kissing and smiling, of them being together. He longed to stay in that dreamland, but every day he woke up and Ian wasn’t there. Maybe he wasn’t all the way there either.“Mick, we’re home.”Mickey didn’t move out from under his cocoon of blankets. He’d been there the entire day and he knew it was approaching evening fast. He just didn’t care. He closed his eyes and blocked out Iggy’s voice. Maybe if he ignored him long enough he’d just go away and he could fall back into whatever dream he’d been having.“The boat has to go through inspection. We can’t be here when they do that.” Iggy tried again. He sat down beside Mickey, unable to see his face. “We have everything packed and ready except for you.”“I’m find my own way.” Mickey mumbled, still not moving.“I can’t just leave you.”“Yes, you can.” Mickey squeezed his eyes closed.“Fine, be a stubborn ass but this won’t help.”With Iggy gone, he was able to doze off again. He sprang through the memories, the dreams of Ian, then huddled together when Noah tried to find them, their reunion when he thought Ian had been killed, them spending their nights on the deck, them kissing, crying together, him seeing Ian after the hospital. He bopped around like he didn’t know which memory to stay in, until he found one and couldn’t get out.Ian telling him not to love him.Mickey bolted out of bed, his head feeling like it weighed a hundred pounds. His eyes were fuzzy, from too much sleep and not enough rest. He sat up, letting his head hang between his knees as he tried to breathe through it all. The longer it took, the more he felt like he’d never be okay again.That Ian had come in and changed his life so much, that he couldn’t function without him, or he could but refused.A few hours had passed since Iggy left. He could feel the night creeping in. Another day without Ian was over and gone. From below, he could hear people walking around, banging equipment, making sure his boat was up to shape for the marina. He ignored them, even the one who wandered downstairs. They had a little stare off, wondering if it was okay or what might happen, Mickey turned away without acknowledging him, grabbed his bag and his jacket and left the boat.The marina was dark, the ocean wild, making waves slap against the wood under his feet. It was eerie, unsettling. Like the ocean was angry. Maybe it was, just like Ian was, like he was. He wasn’t sure if it could have emotions like that, but he’d seen it do some extraordinary stuff and wouldn’t doubt the ocean's ability to act on how it was feeling. Something was making the water ram against the deck, thrashing around, unreachable.Mickey walked until he found the beach. He didn’t know what beach, but it didn’t matter, he felt warm sand under his feet. He stopped long enough to take his shoes off and carried them as he walked. The perks of coming to the beach at night was that no one was around to bother him. It was abandoned, mostly because it was dangerous to be that close to the water so late. Mickey didn’t care about it being dangerous, he needed to be near the water. Days at a time on the boat took its toll, he was on the water but not really.When his legs screamed for a rest, he flopped down none too gracefully right at the shore. He tossed his shoes and his phone behind him, making sure they didn’t get wet, then welcomed the waves as they rushed up his legs. His body was overheated, not from the sun, but the copious amounts of alcohol he consumed over all those days on the trip back. The whiskey bottle in his hand was already half empty, and it wasn’t his first of the night, or the last. He dug the bottom of the bottle into the ground so it didn’t fall, then laid back, eyes trained up at the sky.Depression wasn’t something he ever considered himself having. Even as a kid, with Terry, then Noah coming into his life and all that fucked up stuff, he never felt like he did now. He was angry then, afraid at times, maybe even happy once in awhile, but now, now he felt that feeling, the one about the world closing in on you, where the voices in your head said you weren’t good enough, weren’t strong enough, that you didn’t matter and probably never had. That negative energy kept him down, it kept him feeling like nothing would ever get better. And with Ian gone, how could it?Life seemed easier all those weeks ago when he was just a fisherman with a mild drinking problem. When the only thing he had to worry about was his upcoming schedule and keeping Mandy out of his hair. It may have been what most call a boring life, he didn’t have many friends aside from Mandy and the boys, but did that count since they were his family? He didn’t have a lover, at least no one he saw more than once when that mild drinking problem got in the way, but sex you couldn’t remember with someone you didn’t care about didn’t really count, did it? He never went on vacation, so there wasn’t anything to look forward to after a long fishing trip, only sleeping in and going to the beach but after a few weeks that got old. He was living, but barely. There wasn’t a bigger picture, there wasn’t a goal anymore. Goals were needed, for everyone including him. The eat, sleep, work, repeat thing only kept his bank account happy, not him.Since he met Ian, his entire outlook on life changed. He was no longer the empty shell of a man with no goals or hopes for the future. He had more energy that he had in his teen years, his drinking problem vanished—save for a few lonely moments without Ian, his everyday life had become a dangerous adventure of its own, dodging Noah and his men, keeping Ian safe. Ian was his lover, his love, something he’d never had before. He felt happiness he didn’t know existed, he felt safe even when they hadn’t been as safe as most people, he saw a future with Ian. Ian gave him hope, Ian gave him the future he didn’t know he wanted, even when the boundaries between him being a human and Ian being a mermaid, it was the best thing in his life.But now…he was right back to where he started, drinking alone on the beach without a future.The bottle found its way back into his hand without a thought. He drank and drank and drank until his throat burned and his eyes watered. but the bottle was empty and he still didn’t feel any better.Alcohol made it worse and he didn’t care about that either. The sky blurred, making his stomach turn and to avoid getting sick and wasting that bottle, he closed his eyes. It helped, his mind wasn’t so loud now. Only the rush of the waves as high tide came in, now soaking his shirt all the way through. Listening to the ocean was far better than whatever shit his mind decided to conjure up.The only thing he could remember before passing out, was that no matter where he was, Ian wasn’t with him.**“Come on, wake up.”Mickey could barely hear that voice. He was awake, sort of, but couldn’t open his eyes and had no idea where he was. He felt light, like he weighed nothing, and cold, and wet. Which made sense since he passed out on the beach, but he’d been alone and now he wasn’t.It wasn’t the voice of anyone he knew, that he was sure of, it was soft, like a woman’s.“You stupid human!” She said again, exasperated. “You better be alive!”The only one that ever called him a human like it was an insult had been Ian when they first met. One person wouldn’t address another person as human unless they weren’t human themselves. Which meant whoever this was, whoever that soft voice belonged to, was a mermaid. That was enough to spark a reaction, his ‘cool as a cucumber’ routine slowly vanishing into something with interest.“Wake up!!”The slap to his face stung, but it did the trick. Mickey bolted up, only to sink a little before small arms caught him. He was in the water, not on the beach, but in the water and judging from how small the beach looked, he must have drifted pretty far. The fear was instant, his uneasiness amplifying. He looked around, seeing the sun barely in the sky and a mermaid holding him up, keeping him from drowning. She was just as beautiful as Ian was, with red hair that was so dark it almost looked black, it curled around her shoulders in ringlets, her eyes were as blue as the water they swam in. The scales around her hairline, the gems, were a dark purple color, as was the giant, six foot long tail that swam just under the surface. Her chest was bare, and he was thankful her hair was long enough to cover them, because he really didn’t need to see that. She was absolutely stunning, and afraid.“Finally!! I thought you’d never wake up.”Mickey stopped flailing around like a beached whale and he was able to tread water without her holding him up. She jerked back as soon as possible, keeping her distance like Ian used to do.“Why am I out here?”“Because you’re stupid and fell asleep on the beach during high tide. Don’t you know any better?”His laugh was instant and couldn’t be controlled. She kinda sounded like Iggy. “Okay, why are you out here then?”“Because I couldn’t just let you drown. Ian would be very upset.”The laughter dried up in a second, his heart pounding as loud as the waves around them. “You know Ian?” She nodded. Giving him nothing else. “Do you know where he is?”“Yes, I do.”Mickey forgot to kick his feet for a moment and slid under the water. She yanked him back up by a tight grip on his arm and shook him.“Will you just swim, please? I can’t have you drowning out here.”Treading water was exhausting, as was getting drunk and sleeping on a beach, so his energy was sapped moments later. He was still drunk, possibly closer to hungover, but hearing Ian’s name seemed to sober him up. “Can we go closer to the beach? I’m not going to be able to keep this up.”Before he knew what was happening, she took hold of his arm yet again and swam very quickly towards the beach. By the time she let him go and he could feel the sand under his feet, his head was swimming and that dizzy feeling was constant. He sat down, his head in his hands.“I can’t stay here. Anyone could see us.”Mickey nearly forgot she was there. He looked up and she was a ways back, keeping her distance from him and the beach. He couldn’t blame her. “Where is Ian?”“He’s around, somewhere safe for now.”Safe. Safe was good. He had been worried nonstop that something bad had happened, that Noah happened. But Ian was fine, which meant he just didn’t want to see him and suddenly there was nothing good about that.“I need to see him.”“You’re too tired to swim there now and it’s a long way.”“I’m not too tired. ” Mickey argued, lying his ass off. He could see two of her now, colliding every other time he blinked.“Where is he?”She glared at him. “I’m not going to tell you, human. I know nothing about you aside from what Ian has told me. But I know humans can’t be trusted and I don’t know why he’s done that.”“If you know who I am then you would know that I’d never hurt Ian. I love him.”“That remains to be seen.”He was getting nowhere. She wasn’t going to tell him and he wasn’t going to stop trying to find out. “I haven’t seen him since we left Bermuda. I was worried something happened to him.”“He is fine, as I told you already. And he’s been trying to find you for the past few days.”Surprise must have shown on his face because she narrowed her eyes at him. “He left. Why has he been trying to find me?”“Because he is also stupid and loves you too.”Mickey smiled for the first time in weeks. So wide that it hurt his cheeks and he felt drunk all over again. Ian told her about them, about him, possibly more. Yeah, Ian was going through a crisis but that didn’t mean he didn’t love him anymore. He’d been doubting it for days, but somehow he just knew Ian still loved him.“He asked me to help him find you. You weren’t at the human villa like he thought you were and didn’t know where you went.”“I told him we had to leave in a few days. And he just left and never came back. I couldn’t wait there. ” Mickey argues, feeling the need to defend his actions to a total stranger. She didn’t seem to care one way or another. “I didn’t think he was coming back.”“As you can imagine, the information your humans gave him was a lot to handle and he needed time to think it over. When he went back, you were gone.”It made sense that Ian wouldn’t know how to find him. He knew they lived in Miami but it was a big place and dangerous for him to get that close. Someone could see him, or capture him or he could wander aimlessly. But the rest of the ocean wasn’t any safer thanks to Noah, at least if Noah was chasing Mickey and he and Ian weren’t together, Ian might actually have a better chance of surviving.“I left because I had to, I had work to do and I didn’t know if he was coming back to me. ” Mickey rubbed the sides of his head. A more intense headache was forming.“When can I see him?”“Tonight so it’s harder to see him.”“Where?”“The lighthouse.Ian knew the lighthouse because that’s where he went when he got hurt, where he saw Mandy. That’s where Mickey had his mermaid fantasy and almost drowned, again. Maybe he needed to stop falling asleep so close to the water. Maybe he needed to stop drinking.“How is that any safer?”“There is a cave under the light house. You have to swim about fifteen feet down to find it, then swim another twenty feet to reach it. Will you be able to do that? Ian said you had a way.”With a tank or a Skorkle he could make it. At night was risky but he was staying close to the shore, he wasn’t going into deep, shark infested water. He’d had enough shark activity to last a lifetime.“Yeah, I can make it. When?”She looked up at the sky. “Sundown.”When it looked like she was about to leave, he moved to his knees and she flinched. He settled, so did she. “Thank you.” Mickey said softly and she tilted her head in that curious way Ian used to. “For telling me about Ian and saving me.”“Ian asked for my help, so I helped. ” She said simply, as if it wasn't a big deal. “I couldn’t very well let his human die.”“And thank you.” She did the head tilt again.“For helping Ian. For looking after him. I worry about him.”“He’s stronger than you think he is, human.”“Mickey.”She shook her head, her nose scrunched in annoyance. “I already knew it.. “I’m not sure what kind of name that is, but Ian told me.”It was funny that she knew the entire time and still called him human. It was an insult, that much he was sure of but he couldn’t just expect her to trust him on sight. It took a lot of work and time for Ian to trust him, the same would be said about her. If he ever saw her again that is.“What’s your name?”“That’s private.”Just as he figured. Only time would tell if he’d ever earn the rights to her name. It was odd, but not really. People gave away their names so freely, it was normal for him to ask and give his own name. To mermaids it meant something else, it was sacred and important and you had to prove you were a good person before they graced you with it.Without knowing what to do, he didn’t want her to just leave without knowing if he’d ever see her again. He dug into the wet pocket of his jeans and pulled out one of two scales Ian gave him, a yellow one and a blue one. He let the yellow one drop from his hand but pulled the other one out and looked at it. He brushed his thumb over it, and as important as it was to him, one of the few things he had to prove Ian was real to him, he extended his hand and offered it to her.Blue eyes widened. The sun shone off it, making reflections cascade in the water around them. It was beautiful, simply beautiful. “Here.”“Where did you get this?” She asked, snatching it angrily and held it to her chest. “What mermaid did you kill to take this?”Mickey held his hands up. “I didn’t kill anyone, Ian gave it to me” She didn’t believe him, he knew that without a doubt. So he slipped the yellow scale out, then the pearl, the shell and held it out to her. Not giving it to her, but showing her. “Ian gave them all to me. I love them so much I always keep them with me.”She looked down at the one in her hand, eyebrows drawn in. “Scales are like our names, human. We don’t give them freely.”“Well Ian did because he loves me.” Mickey was getting frustrated. Not at her but at her lack of confidence. He understood it, but it was still irritating. “Keep it. Let him explain it to you.”She tucked it into the curls at the top of her head. “Sundown.”“Holy shit!!”Mickey turned around so fast his head spun and he almost fell back down. Iggy was standing just on the beach behind him, eyes locked on the mermaid. How the hell Iggy managed to track him down was beyond him, he had weird quirks sometimes that paid off in the end, like tracking your own brother when he doesn’t want to be found. And it couldn’t have been at a worse time. She ducked down into the water, nothing visible but her eyes, wide and very afraid.“Fucking hell. Will you keep your voice down?” Mickey shops, blocking Iggy’s view of her. “Scaring mermaids away must be your superpower.”“I didn’t expect to find another one while hunting you down. ” Iggy took an involuntary step forward. “She’s fucking beautiful.”“Yeah, tell me something I don’t know.” Mickey looked back and she hadn’t moved. She was still afraid, looking up at him like he was a monster.“He’s my family. He won’t hurt you.” She didn’t seem convinced because she didn’t move an inch. “I know you don’t trust me but I promise, he’s harmless.”“Yeah, totally harmless.” Iggy agreed. Suddenly he was worried about what he looked like at the moment because he ran his hands down his shirt, then into his hair trying to flatten it out. “Why do they always flock to you?”Mickey rolled his eyes. “They aren’t birds. She knows Ian. Wanted me to meet him tonight. ” That got him to blink out of whatever trance he’d been in and look over at him. “Apparently Ian came back to the villa but we weren’t there.”“We spent two days waiting.”“Yeah, I know.” Mickey argued even when Iggy’s tone hadn’t changed. “He needed some time and when he came back we were gone. The only thing he knows about where to find me is the lighthouse.”“I’m happy he’s okay. We were all worried.”“I have to go.”They both looked at her. “Sundown, right?”She nodded. “I can’t show you the way. I’m never coming this close to land again. Just remember what I told you.”Iggy stuttered, trying to find the words that wouldn’t come. Mickey totally understood that. She was almost as enchanting as Ian was, almost, and Iggy hadn’t been around a mermaid as long as he had. He couldn’t resist the pull like he was supposed to. Which is why Iggy kept inching closer to the water, his eyes wide, in a daze. Mickey finally had to put a hand to his chest and keep him from going any further.“What?” Iggy asked, confused.“Try not to look so hard, man. You’re gonna drown.” Iggy looked down, eyes wide because the water was up to his hips. “Yeah, that magic shit is real. And I have a feeling she’s not going to save you.”“She might.”They looked at her again and she just backed away. Iggy huffed and moved out of the water and Mickey smiled at her. It almost looked like she was trying to smile back but just wouldn’t let herself.“You’d better go before someone else sees you. Thanks again.”“You’re welcome.”Then she was gone and that alone feeling crept in again, even with Iggy waiting for him. He knew it wouldn’t last, he just had to make it until the sun went down and he’d be able to see Ian again.“You okay?”Mickey nodded as he wadded his way out of the water and did his best to shake off all that water. Iggy had his shoes and his phone. “Better than I was last night. Guess I passed out and almost fucking drowned.”Iggy followed him as they walked down the beach towards his car. “I understand the drinking but you need to be more careful.”“Yeah, I know.”Now in the car, Mickey took the time to strip all his wet clothes off and crawled into the passenger seat wearing only his boxers. Iggy grabbed a towel from the back and slung it at him, then drove them back to his house. He dozed during the ride, thinking of Ian, of his friend, of what may or may not happen when they meet. He didn’t want things to be awkward again, which he kinda thought they might be. Ian hurt him by leaving, but telling him not to love him. It was something he would be forced to get over without talking about it. There was no need. Ian was going through a lot, he’d suffered a tragic loss in his past, one that he found out was his own fault...Mickey understood but that didn’t cancel out his pain.“Can I ask where you’re meeting him?” Iggy barely glanced over. “Just so I know where you are if something happens.”Something had already happened many times.“She said there is a cave under the lighthouse. I'm Supposed to meet him there. We’ve lived here a long ass time and I didn’t know about it. I’m sure no one else will either.”“Shit, I didn’t even know about it.”“Headed there at sunset, maybe earlier so I can make sure no one follows me.” They pulled up at his house and there were about four different cars in the driveway but they didn’t get out. “Anything happen while I was gone?”“Not really. They are still going over that book, trying to make sense of it but who knows how old it really is and some of it doesn’t even make sense.”“And Noah?”“So far nothing. I called the hospital in Bermuda and he checked out the day after you did so he could be anywhere. Found the tracking device Mandy put on his boat so we can’t find him that easily now. I was on my way down to the marina to see if his boat was there when the guys told me you took a walk and never came back.”He didn’t need a lecture. He knew he was all kinds of fucked it over this, but it was what it was and he didn’t know how to stop. He didn’t need help, no amount of family support would make this better. He just needed Ian. It might not be healthy, but it’s what he needed.“I’ve never loved anyone before, and family doesn’t count, but I’m pretty sure it’s not supposed to make you feel this way.”“Love is stupid.” Mickey said and he meant it.“Love makes you do all sorts of stupid shit. Shit you’d never do if you didn’t love that person in the first place.” Mickey rubbed over his face, he didn’t think he’d be discussing love with his family but there he was. “I don’t want to be all sappy and shit like some romance novel, but I don’t think I can be without him. It physically hurts me. I can’t explain it.”Iggy lit a cigarette, then passed it over before he lit one for himself. “Yeah, I’m starting to see that. And I hate to say it but this shit ain’t over. Not even close. You guys can’t keep doing this shit. We can’t let our guard down.”“I know.” Mickey kept his eyes closed. “I’m gonna meet him tonight and see what happens. It might be a good idea if he stays away until all this shit is fixed. Somewhere where they can’t find him. And if Noah is following me to get to him, he can’t be anywhere near me.”“Do you honestly think Ian will be okay with that?”“Probably not. But we don’t have a choice. I can’t keep him safe, Iggy. That’s already been proven time and time again. Am I just supposed to let him keep getting hurt?”Iggy looked out the window, unable to hold his stare. “So what happens when this shit with Noah is over and you’ve sent Ian away? Do you really expect to find him and just pick up where you left off?”Mickey shook his head. “It would be nice to think so, but we don’t know how long this will take and I can’t expect Ian to wait. As much as I want to be with him, as much as I need to be, I don’t know if it will work in the end.”Iggy could recall Ian saying something similar and a bad feeling arose within him. “You two are being stupid. If you can’t even go a few days without him, and he can’t either by the way, then how the fuck do you expect to wait until this shit is over? You wanna be a miserable bastard for the rest of your life, fine, but there is a way to have both of you fight hard enough for it. If you’re just gonna give up, then what’s the point of any of this?”Before Mickey could come back with some sort of snappy reply, Iggy kicked open the door and walked towards the house. Mickey sagged against his seat, knowing damn well Iggy was right and Ian deserved more from him than just giving up. He just didn’t know what to do about any of it.Keeping Ian safe is what mattered the most to him, but he wasn’t sure how to do that and make sure they both didn’t suffer in the process. Realizing that he couldn’t just sit in the car all day, Mickey got out, wrapped the towel around his hips and walked half naked to the house as he finished his cigarette. He didn’t want to go inside and deal with all that shit, all the questions and those worried looks, the sympathy. So he didn’t go in, he went around the side of the house and sat at the table and chair he had that faced the ocean far off in the distance. He could have used a beer, but not being home in a month meant he didn’t have any.It took less than five minutes before someone opened the sliding glass door and joined him in the opposite chair. He didn’t need to look to see who it was, she was the only one who acted nervous around him because they didn’t really know each other. Their only connection was Knox. Maybe not only, now Ian connected them somehow.“We never got the chance to talk after you got out of the hospital.”“What do we need to talk about?” Mickey asked but didn’t look at her. He kept his eyes on the ocean, on the waves.“Everything, I suppose.” Sammi sat forward, twirling her fingers together nervously. “I wanted to apologize for being with Wilcox in the first place. I know you guys have beef with him but I honestly didn’t know I was working for him when I took the job. The company is run by his mother and she uses her maiden name, if it was Wilcox I would have said no.”Mickey turned his head to look at her. Her make up was running, her eyes dark and red like she’d been crying at some point, it made everything he said sound softer than his normal tone.“You don’t have to explain it to me. If you worked for me that would be my business.”“It’s your business now.”“Yes, it is.” Mickey agreed. “I believe you when you say you didn’t give Noah any information about us. Not just because Knox believes you but because there wasn’t much to tell in the first place. Noah came on his own, somehow he knew Ian would be there and used it to his advantage.”“What I shared about Ian’s history, I’m sorry. I got over excited because I finally met the person all those stories talked about but I didn’t know the entire story. I believed what I was told and that was foolish. If I'd have known, I would have revealed it in a different way. I never wanted to hurt him like that.”“I believe that too.” Mickey offered her a smile, which she seemed to enjoy but she didn’t smile back. “Even if you did know, there was no easy way to break it to him. To you it was just a story, you didn’t believe it was real until you saw him. Ian thought he gave that guy too much information and that’s why his family was killed. He didn’t know there would be a price, or he never would have done it. I think he knows and believes that on some level. He left to deal with that guilt, to try and rationalize his choices and no matter what he comes to, it will never be okay, it’ll never be worth it.”Sammi wiped her eyes. “What can I do to make this right?”“I’m not sure if you can do anything. Maybe give Ian access to the book whenever he’s ready to dig into it all. I’m sure most of what’s written are lies to make your ancestor sound like a hero instead of the bad guy.” Mickey really wished he had a beer, or a smoke. It would make him feel better about talking like this. “Ian trusted him, he liked him, he believed he was good and when Ian didn’t give him what he wanted, he turned against him.”“He can have access whenever he wants it. I’m not sure if he can read what’s written but I’m more than happy to help him if he lets me.”“I appreciate that.” Mickey turned back towards the water, longing for it as much as he did Ian. “What did you find in that book? I don’t care about all his lies or his side of the story because I believe Ian. I mean, is there a way to help Ian get out of whatever curse was put on him?”“I’ve started to translate the text used during the ritual but there are some things I’ve never learned before. My grandmother taught me a few things before she died but not as advanced as what that stuff is.”Mickey sighed, his hope smashed to little pieces.“Which is why I’m taking a trip back home to Ireland. My family still lives there, which is why I was supposed to take a job there before Wilcox came along. There had been a few mermaid sightings and I was trying to get ahead without hurting them.”“Most people wouldn’t.”“I’m not most people.”Mickey smiled. “No, you’re not.”“What I’m looking for has to be there. I can translate the rest and see if I can figure out a way to help him. It’s the least I can do after what I’ve already done.”Hope sparked again, which was foolish but out of his control. But if there was even the smallest chance Ian could be helped, to be what he wanted to be all the time, there was no way in hell he would just sit by and watch. He’d help as much as he possibly could.“When are you leaving?”Sammi checked her watch. “My flight leaves in three hours. I wanted to talk to you before I left. To let you know that I’m doing all I can.”Three hours meant by the time he met Ian, she might have some answers for him, for them. Maybe he could give Ian some good news for once. It wouldn’t change the past or bring his family back, but Ian wouldn’t have to live the rest of his abnormally long life as something he wasn’t, in pain, unhappy in his own skin. Maybe it would bring Ian some happiness.“Please let me know as soon as you find something. ” Mickey stood when she did and their eyes met again. She still looked as guilty as she had a few days ago. “I don’t want to tell Ian there might be a chance and have it all fall apart.”“As soon as I know something.” Sammi said and headed for the door. Mickey waited until she was almost inside before he called out for her. She stopped, surprised, and turned back to face him.“Have you ever heard of a human turning into a mermaid?”Sammi opened her mouth, then closed it. She was thinking. “I’m not sure anyone has ever wanted to be a mermaid before. But it’s something I can look into while I’m there.” She narrowed her eyes. “Why?”His head was swimming in ideas and he couldn’t keep up to save his life. “I think you know why.”The silence between them was tense, full of speculation. He didn’t actually say why he wanted to know, but she knew, she had to know why he asked. When she smiled, he knew she was on the same page as he was. If Ian could be helped and that curse taken away, he’d be a mermaid forever.Mickey couldn’t think of anything worse than not seeing him again and if Ian didn’t want to become a human, there was only one choice left.“I’ll let you know if I find anything about that.”Mickey nodded. “It’s important that the others don’t know. I want solid information and a plan before we tell them.”“That’s understood. I’m taking Mandy with me, I’ll have her look into Ian’s curse while I check about someone becoming a mermaid and it’ll save time. ” Sammi smiled, but shook her head. “That’s a big sacrifice, Mickey. You sure you know what you’re doing?”“Actually no, I have no idea what I’m doing.” Mickey chuckled. “I’m willing to sacrifice anything and everything to be with him. If that means I need to make a change, then so be it.”Knox popped his head outside and Mickey hoped he didn’t overheat any of that. He looked at Sammi, then at him, knowing he came at the wrong time. “Sorry guys. I need to get her and Mandy down to the airport.”“I’ll be right in.” Sammi kissed his cheek and he went back inside with a smile. “While I’m gone, if you can, learn as much about what happened to Ian during that ritual. After knowing the book had a few holes in it about the truth, I’m not going to go by it for instructions. I need to know what he knows.”“I’ll ask him, but don’t count on him wanting to talk about it. ” With their silent agreement, Sammi was leaving again, headed back inside. “Take care of my sister while you’re there.”Sammi nodded. “I plan on it.”The door closed, leaving him alone again and he turned back to the ocean. It wasn’t hard to picture himself never leaving the water, free to swim and live and love with Ian. He knew what he’d be leaving behind if he could, his friends, his family, his entire life, but without Ian in his life, he didn’t want the other one.The ocean was calling to him like a song, it sounded like Ian’s voice, that soft, soothing sound. It was welcoming him in, wanting him to stay, to forget life as he knew it and focus on what he really wanted. He knew no matter what happened, if this worked or if it didn’t, he would give up what he had—his legs, his life, his family— in a heartbeat, just to be with Ian.**-To see a World in a Grain of SandAnd a Heaven in a Wild FlowerHold Infinity in the palm of your handAnd Eternity in an hour-—William Blake
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The Devil’s TriangleChapter 17– Found To say he was nervous was an understatement. This would be his first time seeing Ian in almost a week, something that never happened since they met. The longest he’d been gone was three days last time, and Mickey still felt like he did now, like he was about to be sick. At least the first time they left things in a good place. Unlike this last time, where Ian told him not to love him. That didn’t bod well for their relationship. It made him feel like he wasn’t good enough, even when that was ludicrous.If Ian thought he wasn’t good enough, he would have told him.After Knox left with Sammi and Mandy to the airport, Mickey took a quick shower, ate something because he couldn’t remember the last time he did, then laid down and tried to sleep. It didn’t work. His mind was running a mile a minute and he couldn’t shut it off for anything. Too many questions without answers, too many what if’s and maybes, or maybe nots. He managed to doze off for an hour before his alarm went off and he should have just stayed awake.Now he stood at the lighthouse beach wearing swim trunks and the top half of a wetsuit to keep him semi warm from the colder night water. His waterproof bag was slung around his back and in his hands he held a pair of goggles with a light on the front and a Skorkle to use instead of lugging around a big tank. The water rushed at his bare feet, as if welcoming him and daring him to come inside. The moon was out, but just barely, he could still see the last rays of the sun between flashes of light from the lighthouse above. And it was quiet, it was so quiet.It was time to see Ian and he was a fucking mess.There were two ways this could go; one, they would make up like they had before and talk it all out until they found a solution to their problems, or two; Ian would tell him it was over and swim away without another word. Mickey would not be the one to leave. He decided that earlier after telling Sammi he wanted to be a mermaid, to be with Ian. He had his doubts about their future before, he would admit that, but he loved him too much to let him go. Now he hoped Ian felt the same and couldn’t live without him either.But it was complicated. There was so much they had to risk, there was so much danger and uncertainty surrounding them. It was hard to see all the good instead of the bad. Mickey was determined to show him, no matter how hard it was, or how impossible their future seemed, that he would do anything to be with him. Anything to keep him in his life.Mickey walked into the water at last, letting the harsh waves splash up his legs and it felt like it gripped them, not wanting to let him go. For some reason he liked it and smiled. It was chilly, but he was so worked up and high on adrenaline and anxiety that he didn’t feel it. He put the goggles over his eyes, turned the light on, then kept the Skorkle in his mouth and walked in deeper until he had to swim. His light only illuminated a few feet in front of him, making it a slow pace around the side of the rock blocked by the lighthouse. He swam in short bursts, fighting the waves but never stopped until the beach was far from his eyes.The rocks were a little jagged, shredded by the waves lapping constantly against them. He touched them gently, holding on as he sank into the water. The rocks evened out the deeper he went, turning soft and smooth under his fingers. Without anything to watch his back, fear was there automatically. Something could easily creep up on him and snatch him and he wouldn’t be able to do anything about it. It didn’t stop him, of course, but it was something to think about until the rock wall stopped and his fingers found the top ledge to the cave below. He looked down, seeing nothing but black, dark water. With a gentle shove on the ledge, he was propelled down, then swam until he could see the gigantic mouth of the cave and this time it wasn’t broken or damaged, but open, and it was big enough for the loch ness monster to crawl out of.Ian was inside, so he was going in, monster or no monster.Inside was just as frightening as the outside. He couldn’t touch either side of the cave, nor the top or the bottom and the only thing he could see in front of him was darkness. Mickey kept going, inching deeper and deeper and felt the water warm around him. Soon he could see the steep bottom of the cave, sloping up towards what had to be some sort of ledge but before he could figure it out, his head was breaching the water, and he was inside. It was still dark, but as he swam forward, he could see the tip of Ian’s tail floating, the bluish purple shining from his light. So beautiful that Mickey spit out the Skorkle and sighed.It wasn’t as big as the other caves they went to. It was rather small and dark and unlived in. The patch of land in front of him was about fifty feet from end to end, of nothing but rock. No sand. Just hard rock. Ian sat with his back to the far wall and his tail off to one side, it was still long enough to reach the water without him risking drying out. Ian wasn’t looking at him, but staring at the opposite wall. He didn’t look over when he arrived and Mickey knew Ian heard him. That hurt, he had to admit, it hurt not to be noticed.Mickey slowly made his way forward to the opposite side Ian sat on. He tossed his Skorkle and goggles, then set his bag down to one side and heaved himself up onto the ledge. Unlike Ian, who couldn’t feel what was on the water below them, Mickey didn’t let his feet dangle and lifted them, then crossed them. There was a chill on his skin, and he did his best not to shiver, but he didn’t need to dry off to get warm, he just needed Ian.Without the light on his goggles, it was pitch black. Mickey turned it on and set it beside him, then dug into his bag and grabbed the long lasting candles he tossed into it for that reason. He lit them, then set them near the back wall and away from the water, it took a moment but the cave got brighter, keeping them in that soft, intimate glow, but he could see without the light. He did grab the towel inside, stripped off the top of his wetsuit and tossed it on a rock beside him to dry, then used the towel to put around his shoulders.Ian still didn’t say anything. He didn’t make a sound.Mickey could only let it stand for about twenty minutes before he broke. And when he did, his voice was firm, but he locked all that emotion just behind it. One word, one wrong word and he would probably cry like a baby. “If you didn’t want to see me, you shouldn’t have asked me to come.”“I did want to see you.”“Did?” Mickey asked. He looked over and Ian hadn’t moved. “Or do?”“I do.”Deep breath to keep the tears back. Ian felt a million miles away. “Why?”Ian sighed. “I don’t know.”Mickey let that go because he was close to his breaking point and they just started. “Was it to say goodbye? Because I hate those. I’d rather you just disappear than say goodbye.”“Mickey…”“Don’t sugar coat it, Ian.” Mickey interrupted. He forced himself to look at the water and wondered for a minute what drowning might feel like. “I’m a big boy. If you’re done with me, just say so. I don’t want to keep you any longer.”“It sounds like that’s what you want.”“If it was, you’d never see me again.” Mickey said confidently. “It’s not like I spent the last week wondering if you were dead. Thinking maybe Noah recovered faster than I did and finally captured you. Or worse, that maybe you decided that you wanted your life to go back to normal, like it was before you met me and decided to cut your losses.” Mickey slipped his arm from under the towel and wiped the tear away. “And if you decide that, I get it. I’d just rather know up front before we get into the rest.”“I spent the last week trying to decide why I shouldn’t kill myself.” Ian said quietly.Mickey stopped breathing.“I finally let myself think about what happened in the past, with Danny. I haven’t thought about that in hundreds of years. But the details are still the same. They never change. I remember him saying there would be a sacrifice, and it had to be my choice if I was okay with that. At the time, I thought it meant my tail. That I was sacrificing my life in the water, not my family.”The tears fell quietly and Mickey never let them get far before he swiped them away. It was hard to listen, but even harder to hear.“When it happened, I felt it. I thought the pain I felt when I turned was me just going through the change but that’s not it. I felt that pain before I changed and I know now that it was my family’s pain. Them dying, them not knowing why. Now I feel it every day, I know that this is all my fault and nothing I can do now will change any of it.”Ian sniffled quietly but Mickey knew he was crying just as he was. His own tears fell faster because of it.“Nothing was worth my family's lives, especially not having legs and I had to learn that the hard way. I have to live with that guilt for the rest of my life and unless something happens to me, it’ll be a long time before I die and stop feeling that pain, stop feeling guilty and maybe if I see them again, they will have forgiven me for being so selfish.”Mickey had no right to argue, or interrupt because Ian was right. Now he had to live with his choices. Mickey wouldn’t lie and say it wasn’t his fault. Maybe he didn’t know what he was giving up, but it still happened.“I thought about ending my life to be with them. But that would be too easy, wouldn’t it? I have to live with myself and what I’ve done, I have to feel that pain every day and I know now that it’s my punishment. That dying would be a way out that I don’t deserve. I’m supposed to feel pain, I’m supposed to suffer for what I did and living is the way to do that. It’s the only way to make up for what I did.”Mickey nodded, more to himself since Ian still hadn’t looked at him. He tucked the towel back inside, then grabbed his goggles and moved back to the edge of the water. “I guess that’s it then, hmm? Your life seems pretty full already. No room for me in it.”“That’s not what I meant.” Ian said quickly.“You didn’t have to say it. I can read between the lines.” It was hard to leave, but he was going. Ian already decided. “I guess there is nothing in your life now that’s worth staying alive. Nothing that makes you happy or makes you feel loved, nothing that matters.”Ian sniffled.“I guess all that shit we went through, all that I felt, was just one sided.” Mickey was actively crying. So much so that he couldn’t blink without tears falling down his face. “Wish you would have said something before now and I could have saved myself the trouble.”“It wasn’t one sided!” Ian yelled, his throat raw with emotion until it cracked. “I felt what you felt, I did from the moment I saw you. Don’t you understand, Mickey? I’m not a good person. I killed my entire family. Why would you possibly want to be with me?”Mickey turned, glaring at him. “None of that shit matters anymore, Ian. That was a long time ago and you didn’t know what would happen. You said so yourself, that if you knew, you wouldn’t have done it. You made a mistake, you feel guilty, you feel like you don’t deserve anything good in your life. Trust me, I understand what that feels like.” Ian looked away then and the tears fell harder from both of them. “If you weren’t meant to find happiness and love, do you really think we would have met? Someone, somewhere, wanted us to find each other and be together.”Ian covered his face.“Don’t you think you’ve suffered enough?” Mickey asked and set his bag down beside him again. He was being blunt on purpose, hoping to get through to him. “You were cursed, you lost your family, you felt what they felt when they died, every day for the last hundred plus years. Do you really think you deserve more?”“I don’t know.” Ian said quietly, his face still in his hands. “Why should I get what I want after that? Why should I get to be alive and feel happiness and love when they can’t?”“That’s not how it works. You can’t put your life on hold because you’re afraid you weren’t meant to be happy if they can’t.” Mickey moved away from the water, crawling on his knees towards Ian. “It’s okay to feel guilty about what happened, it’s okay to be sad and it’s okay if this takes time, but you can’t stop your life.”“How long will it take?” Ian asked, finally looking up. Mickey was next to him.“I can’t tell you that.” Mickey wanted to reach out and touch him, but he didn’t. “Everyone handles it differently. It could take a while, or it could pass quickly, but eventually it won’t hurt as much.”“Did you lose someone?”It occurred to him at that moment, that he never told Ian anything about his past. Not including Noah. They talked about Ian’s past and what happened, but Mickey never offered up his side. It wasn’t as tragic as Ian’s but it was painful all the same. Maybe now it was time to talk about it.“Yeah, I lost my mom when I was little. It was a long time ago and it took me a while to be okay after, but I’m not angry about it anymore, I’m not broken.” Mickey breathed deeply, willing all those memories to stay hidden. “Everyone is different. What worked for me might not work for you, but could work for someone else. You can’t rush it or try to control it. All you can do is deal with it when you can and do your best not to let it ruin you.”Ian wiped his face and leaned back against the wall, his arms folded over his chest so he didn’t start shivering. “I think I feel bad...well, worse than I should, is because I hardly remember them now.”Mickey just stared at him, he hadn’t been expecting that.“Their faces are blurry, I don’t recall any memories with them, and their names are starting to slip away. I killed my family and can’t even remember what it was like to have them.” Ian looked at him. “That has to be a bad sign.”“That happened a long time ago.” Mickey reminded him. “You don’t talk about them to anyone, I bet you don’t like to think about the things you can remember and they just slip away without you realizing it.” He sat beside Ian with his back against the wall, inches from Ian’s body. “I don’t remember things about my mom that I could have ten years ago, and it’s been hundreds of years for you. It happens.”“Do I just keep forgetting them?”“Do you want to forget them?”Ian shook his head. “I’d like to remember more. But I have a feeling I’d feel worse about what I did.”“You might.” Mickey agreed and gently laid his hand on Ian’s arm. “But if you want to talk about them, I’m always here to listen.”“Even after what I said?” Ian asked quietly. “I didn’t mean that, by the way.”“Yes, even after that.” Mickey squeezed this time, then pulled until their arms lined up. “I couldn’t stop loving you if I tried and I’m not ready to give up. I want you, I want us, just as much as I did the last time I saw you.”Ian sighed heavily and let his head rest against Mickey’s. He moved his hand over to rest on Mickey’s thigh. “I want that too. I missed you.”Mickey smiled. “I missed you too, Ian.”He wasn’t sure how much time passed with them just sitting there together. Ian felt heavy against his side now, meaning he was really relaxed or he’d given in and fallen asleep. Mickey was starting to get tired, dozing in and out of sleep until he felt Ian’s lips against his bare arm and he looked over into green eyes.“I thought you were asleep.”“I might have been for a minute.” Ian kissed his arm again, then again. “How are you feeling? I was being a baby and forgot to ask.”Mickey grinned. “I still have a headache, but I’m okay. Just worried about you.”“You got shot, you were in a coma. You shouldn’t be worrying about me. You should be taking it easy and trying to feel better.” Ian rubbed his lips against the same patch of skin he’d been kissing, then his nose, then his cheek. “I’m sorry I wasn’t there to help.”“I’m fine.” Mickey said again and gripped Ian’s chin and lifted it to meet his eyes. “It feels like I haven’t seen you in weeks. God, you’re beautiful.”Ian blushed. “Mickey.”Mickey kissed him before he could say anything else. Being that close and not kissing him should have been a crime. His lips were smooth and perfect and when he kissed them again, he felt them tremble softly. His hand slid up Ian’s cheek, fully holding him and Ian pushed against him, kissing him right back. It deepened in a matter of seconds, with both of them moaning and kissing harder and faster and turning each other where they needed them. It was beautiful chaos and Mickey had never felt so good before, so alive.“Fuck, Ian.” Mickey groaned when he pulled back. He was worked up, starved for attention. The lack of attention after a week was just now getting to him. “I never want to go more than a few hours without kissing you.”Ian laughed and rubbed his nose against Mickey’s. “Yeah, me too. It was awful. The last few days have been hell.”“Yeah, they have.” Mickey kissed him again, something short and sweet and Ian hummed a little as he smiled. “I’m sorry I didn’t wait for you. We tried but I had to make that last delivery before it was too late.”“I understand. I just didn’t know how to find you. The only place we met here was the beach by the lighthouse.”Mickey remembered that like it just happened. Getting drunk, almost drowning, having that crazy, erotic mermaid dream that turned out to be semi real. Ian had saved him, he’d been there, but the erotic stuff was all in his head. It seemed like a lifetime ago, but felt like yesterday.“Well, it’s lucky your friend was there. My ass almost drowned again.”Ian sighed. “You shouldn’t fall asleep near the water unless I’m with you.”“I’ll try to remember that.” Mickey grinned. “Thanks for sending her, by the way. She didn’t seem to like me very much but she didn’t let me die.”“She wouldn’t. She knows how much you mean to me.”“Does she?” Mickey thumbed across Ian’s cheek when he blushed, confirming it. “Gossip with all your mermaid friends?”“Just the ones who matter. I needed help to find you and she was willing to risk it for me.”“Well, Iggy seemed to like her. He almost walked right over me to get closer.”Ian grinned. “He needs to resist. It’s like he’s not even trying.”“Because he isn’t.” Mickey leaned in a little further to kiss Ian’s cheek. “I had a harder time than he did, remember? I couldn’t keep my ass outta the water.”“Yeah, I do.” Ian’s hand moved up from Mickey’s thigh to his stomach, then up to his chest. “No more talking. We should be kissing.”A trail of fire moved up with Ian’s hand and he was almost certain when Ian moved his hand, it would leave an impression. Burned into his skin and he wanted it. He let his hand slide down to cover Ian’s, holding it, which put Ian against his side, not his arm.“Yeah, we should be.” Mickey tilted his head and Ian followed, chasing after his mouth. “But that always leads to other things.”“I want those other things.”Mickey groaned. “Ian.”“Please?” Ian whined, their hands sliding down, almost to Mickey’s shorts. “It makes me feel alive when we touch like that and I need it right now.”All their emotions seemed to be on overload. Not just the sadness and guilt over their past, but their need for skin on skin contact, their need for each other. It was all coming out and Mickey had a feeling he wouldn’t be able to say no even if he wanted to. He wanted what Ian did, he wanted to be with him, to feel him again.“I know you want it too, Mickey. I feel it.” Ian kissed along his cheek, then his neck and felt the goosebumps. “We can do whatever you want.”“I want to.” Mickey admitted and was cut off with a kiss and Ian’s unwillingness to wait. He had to grip the back of his hair to pull him back enough to talk. “Do you wanna wait until you change? That way we can do more.”Ian groaned, pushing his tail against the side of Mickey’s leg. “That’s not for a while though and I want you now.”“I want you, too.” Mickey said just as their lips connected. His other arm was around Ian’s middle now, his fingertips brushing the top scales of Ian’s tale and he let out a deep groan. He pulled back, panting. “Whatever you wanna do.”“Fuck.” Ian cursed. “I want both.”“Greedy.” Mickey teased, unable to stop chuckling. “I can get you off both ways, doesn’t matter to me if we wait. But you gotta tell me.”Ian pushed against his leg again, gasping softly, his head pushed against Mickey’s. “Fine, we wait. But now what?”“We can talk.” Mickey put his hand on Ian’s tail, keeping him from rutting against his thigh again. He was still hard, but he had a little more control of himself than Ian did. It was all new for him, he had to learn control. “I have a few things to tell you.”“I suppose talking is good.” Ian sagged against him, his head on Mickey’s shoulder yet again. “What things do you need to tell me?”The last thing he wanted to do was bring down the mood after they moved past all the doom and gloom, he had to mention what Sammi and Mandy were up to. Not him being a mermaid, but Ian being cured somehow if they found what they were looking for. If they succeeded, Ian would be free of his curse. That was worth mentioning.“Mandy and Sammi took a little trip. Sammi seems to think there is more to learn about what happened to you.” Mickey felt Ian tense. “Not just what happened to your family, but about you being cursed. I don’t want to get your hopes up, but she’s confident she might be able to help.”“How?” Ian asked softly.“I’m not sure yet. She wants to know more about the spell, maybe see if she can reverse it.”Ian sat up, eyes a little wide. “What would that mean?”Mickey put his hand on Ian’s tail. “If she found what she was looking for and if…there are a lot of ifs here…if she can reverse it, you wouldn’t have to have legs anymore. At all.”“Just a tail?” Ian looked down.“Just a tail.” Mickey knew he was in shock. It was a big deal, and it wasn’t certain, but there was hope. Mickey hoped it would work, he hoped Ian wouldn’t have to suffer anymore. “No more legs, no more change, no more pain. You’d just be you again.”“I don’t even remember what that’s like.” Ian put his hand on top of Mickey’s. “I don’t know what to say.”“You don’t have to say anything, Ian. It’s a lot to think about, and it’s a lot to hope for. We’ll know soon enough if it can be done, or not. But I’ll help however I can.” Mickey put his fingers under Ian’s chin and turned him until their eyes met. He looked afraid. “We have some time to think about it.”“What if they don’t find anything? Then I’m stuck like this.”“That’s a possibility, but you assumed you’d be stuck like this forever. Now we have hope that you might not be. I think it’s something to look forward to.”When Ian rested against his shoulder again, Mickey knew the conversation was over for now. Ian was too deep inside his mind, thinking, Mickey was trying not to think about what it all meant. He didn’t want to get his hopes up either, but he wanted to be positive for Ian. He didn’t want to be a human, Ian said it a hundred times, he hated his legs, and Mickey hoped that Ian got what he needed. That maybe it would help him heal in a way, maybe he could start forgiving himself for what happened.Just maybe.**Mickey woke up to Ian panting in his ear. Groggy and nearly in the dark had his mind thinking about sexual things, the noises, them being together, but when Ian let out a cry of pain, he knew it wasn’t that. Ian was changing again. They must have slept longer than he realized, hours must have passed and now it was time again and it was just as painful as before.“Mickey.”“I know.” Mickey cleared his throat and tried to wake up as quickly as possible. Ian had a death grip on his arm, his tail was moving back and forth in that irritated cat way, he was in pain. And there was nothing he could do. “I’m here, just breathe.”Ian gave a few shallow breaths but they were always interrupted by those little whines. Pain slipping through the cracks. Mickey wrapped an arm around him, giving Ian his chest to lay on, and webbed fingers gripped his arms tightly. He grit his teeth and ignored the pain. He focused on Ian, on trying to keep calm to keep him calm. He took shallow breaths too and Ian copied him.“You’re doing so good, Ian.” Mickey kissed the top of his head.It was magic, painful, awful magic, but magic all the same. Mickey watched his tail blur out of focus, replaced by long, smooth legs. It was over, and Ian sagged against him, and he held his weight, whispering to him, petting his hair, his back, kissing him. Anything to bring comfort, to lessen the pain. It didn’t last long, Ian sat up, his arms shaky, and put their foreheads together.“Thank you.” Ian whispered.Mickey caressed his face, smiling when he leaned into it. “I only wish I could help more.”“You help more than you know. It used to be so much worse. I couldn’t move for hours after it happened, and now it just takes a few minutes.”“Still.” Mickey reached over, searching in his bag until he found the towel he used. He carefully draped it across Ian’s lap, covering him, but kept it off his legs. “It seems easier when you don’t fight it.”Ian kissed him, sighing into it. “If that would go away forever, I would be grateful.”“They’ll work as fast as they can.” Mickey assured him, then kissed him again and helped him get situated beside him again. “You okay?”“As well as I normally am. How are you?”Mickey shrugged. “I’m good if you are.”“I’m serious.” Ian glared at him. “How are you healing? Any problems?”“Baby, I’m fine. I’m a quick healer. And I’m much better knowing you’re okay.” Mickey linked their hands, then kissed the back of Ian’s.They didn’t say anything for a while after that, and it was as calm as when they did speak. Ian dozed in and out against his shoulder, exhausted from the change. Mickey was a little tired too, but chose to stay awake and make sure Ian didn’t need anything. He listened to him breathe, humming a little as he fell into a quick dream. When Ian’s legs started to shift, stretching for a moment before they circled up close to his body, he smiled. He still wasn’t used to it and wasn’t sure if he ever would be.“You should be sleeping.” Ian mumbled against his shoulder. “You’re tired.”“I’m fine.” Mickey put his face into the top of Ian’s hair and breathed. That was all he needed. “You should get some more sleep. It’s been a long couple of days.”“I’d rather be awake to see you.”“Ian…”“Don’t ‘Ian’ me. You said after. It’s after now.” Ian lifted his head, pushing it against Mickey’s, but at least he could see his eyes. “You don’t want to?”“Trust me, I do.” Mickey could already feel his body getting worked up, a single mention of it and he was ready. He turned a little, his knee moving over Ian’s thigh. “I always want you.”“No more waiting then.”The candles flickered at the slightest movement. They were bathed in the soft glow, almost making it seem like the sunset was inside with them. It left enough shadow to hide Ian’s eyes from him if he moved the wrong way. But when he found them, they were down, looking low on his body, and Ian’s hand was moving towards the tie on his shorts. Mickey didn’t move, he didn’t stop him, but he didn’t help him either. He just watched.Ian pulled the little tie and the shorts parted a little for him to slip his hand in. He gasped, Mickey did as well, and he closed his hand around him. “You’re always so hard.”Mickey blushed for some reason. “You always make me hard. All the damn time.”“And you make me hard.” Ian’s other hand took ahold of Mickey’s and slid it under the blanket, closer to him. His breath caught in his throat. “You can’t tell me you didn’t miss it.”“Fuck.” Mickey gripped him back, butting his head against Ian’s pushing as Ian did. Ian was so hard, just like he was. “Of course I missed it. I love everything we do together.”Ian let out a breathless sound. “Can we do more?”“More?” Mickey repeated. Their hands moved at the same speed, going all the way down to the base, then slowly back to the head, sliding their palms through the wetness. Just to repeat it. “Like what?”“You tell me.”Mickey wasn’t sure what they could do that they hadn’t done before, not including actual sex because he wasn’t sure they were ready for that. Ian barely knew what it was. “You tell me, Ian. What are you thinking about?” Ian blushed.“I know you like when I use my fingers on you.”An uncontrollable shiver went down his spine and he bucked into Ian’s fist. Ian had tried before, but that was when he had a tail and his fingers were webbed once again, it didn’t really go anywhere. But now…fuck. Now Ian had full use of all his fingers and he knew instantly it would be so much better than before.“Hmm?”“I want to make you feel good.” Mickey paused to pull the towel aside, then gripped him again and watched green eyes roll into the back of his head. “Especially now because I can.”Ian kissed along Mickey’s arm, then up towards his neck. “That’s why you have to tell me what we can do. You know this stuff, I don’t.”So many images flashed into his mind all at once. Ian fingering him, Ian eating him, Ian fucking him. Him riding Ian. That’s normally what came next, but it was different with Ian, he didn’t know most of that stuff and he needed control of his legs for the rest of it.“What are you thinking?”Mickey shook his head. “Let’s just keep doing this.”Ian stopped, then made Mickey stop. Now they were panting, going without. “Please?”“The rest is a little complicated.” Mickey was still trying to regain his breathing. He was so worked up. But Ian wasn’t going to keep going unless he said something, anything to explain. “Okay…uh, I could try the finger thing on you.” Ian’s eyes widened. “But I don’t know if it’s something you’d like or not.”“Can we tell without doing it?”“No, we can’t.” Mickey wasn’t sure if Ian would like it. It wasn’t for everyone, but without trying they’d never know. “There is also something I could do, it’s almost like the finger thing, but I’d use my mouth instead.” Ian sat up this time, head tilted as he thought about what that meant, then his mouth dropped open. “It sounds gross, but it’s not, trust me. Men and women do the same thing, not everyone, I guess, but some people like it.”“Do you?”Mickey blushed hotter, just imagining Ian doing that to him was making it hard to think. “Yeah, I like it.”“And what about sex?”“That’s a little more complicated.” Mickey put his arm down, talking like that was making his cock jump. “Maybe if you could use your legs, it would be a little easier. We can just keep doin what we do.”“Wouldn’t you want to try?” Ian asked with extreme curiosity.This was so hard to explain when Ian had never even heard of it before. He had, but it wasn’t the same. He didn’t know about topping or bottoming or what he would like, because he’d never done it, or thought about it. Nothing. Mickey would have to explain it to him in detail. Step by step, feeling by feeling.“Baby, it really is complicated.” Mickey turned Ian’s head so he could see his eyes, they looked a little distant, and dark, and he could almost see what all he’d said running through his mind. “And I don’t know how to explain without you getting confused.”“Try, please try.” Ian insisted. “Please.”Mickey let out an irritated breath. He wasn’t irritated at Ian, just the lack of knowledge and he was awful at trying to explain. “Okay, I can explain a little as I show you. I want you to get on my lap, kinda like what I’ve done with you.”“Like, one leg on each side?” Ian asked.“Yeah, I’ll help you.” Mickey held out his hand and when Ian took it, he bent a little to grip one thigh and slowly helped him straddle his lap. Ian gave a little gasp, probably from the sensations of his legs, Mickey gasped for another reason. Ian got settled, looking a little awkward and uncomfortable but he didn’t say anything. “Okay, for this whole sex thing to work between two guys, one of the ways is like this.” His hands settled on Ian’s hips, keeping him from moving. “There are other ways, of course, but this is easier to explain.”“Okay, now what?”“Now comes that fingering thing.” Mickey just wiggled his fingers, making sure he knew. “One guy has to be the top, the other the bottom, but it can switch depending on who likes what. As of right now, us sitting like this, you’re the bottom.”“And if we were switched?”“Then I’d be the bottom.” Mickey leaned up to kiss his chin. “Personally, I like to bottom. Which is why I like the fingering thing. You may not know what you like until you try both.”Ian had his hands on Mickey’s shoulders. “So this is still about the fingering thing?”Mickey laughed. “Sort of. That has to happen before we move to the next step. Do you want me to show you?” Ian’s eyes still looked a little wide, he was still confused, but eager to learn because he nodded. Mickey slid his hands back, moving slowly over Ian’s ass and he tried his best not to groan, but his ass was nice, full. “It’s just like when you did it to me.”“You liked it.”“I fucking loved it.” Mickey growled. His hands were low on Ian’s ass, and he could feel his cheeks spread. When he slid one hand down, one finger touched him and he jumped. “Easy, baby. I won’t hurt you.” He waited for Ian to nod before he kept going and didn’t stop until he felt his hole, soft and tight under the pad of his middle finger.“You did the same thing to me, remember?”Ian nodded, gasping a little. “I don’t know what to think yet.”“Let me know as we go along. ” Mickey moved his finger in a slow circle, not adding any pressure, just long drags of his finger. Ian’s mouth fell open, his eyes closing a bit. He kept the same speed, touching him as lightly as possible. “Try to relax.”“Mickey.” Ian gasped again, his nails digging into his shoulders.“That’s not too bad, right?” God, he was fucking beautiful. Mickey had to force himself not to push up against him for some relief. He was liking it, Ian was still very hard, his cock leaking between them. He sped up a little, watching Ian’s face every moment. “Talk to me.”“I like it.” Ian put his head down on Mickey’s shoulder for a moment, his breathing shaky. “What do I do?”“Just enjoy it. Get used to it.” Mickey kissed at his neck, and when Ian lifted his head and looked into his eyes, he saw how much he liked it. He had that same look, like it would make him come if he let it.“Next, I would push my fingers into you, just like you did with me. It’s to open you up, to get you ready.”“Ready for what?”“When you’re ready, I’d make sure my cock was nice and wet and slowly push into you.” Mickey demonstrated by adding a little pressure with his finger, nothing major, but Ian gave a sharp, needy gasp. “I’d be inside you, all the way, making you feel good.”“Mickey.” Ian whined, dropping his hand, slowly jerking himself. “And it feels good?”Mickey growled, his eyes were down, watching. “It feels so fucking good, Ian. That’s what it is for us. I’d go slow at first, letting you get used to it, then I’d go faster, deeper, harder and you’d move too. Pushing up and down on your thighs, your body taking me over and over again.”“Would it make me come?”“God, yes it would. ” Mickey let his other hand slip between them, stopping Ian from going over the edge. “You’d work yourself just like that, and you’d come so fucking hard. You’d never want to stop.”Ian kissed him, his hands now tangled in his hair. “And I could do it to you, too?”Mickey lifted his hips and they both moaned. “Fuck yes.” He pulled his finger away from Ian, then slowly sucked into his mouth until it was wet, then put it back and Ian jumped again, letting out another one of those breathless sounds. “I hope that explains it, because I don’t know what else to tell you.”“Can we do it?” Ian asked, his eyes unfocused. “I don’t wanna stop.”“Baby, we haven’t even started. I’m just rubbing you, letting you get used to the feeling.” Mickey forced himself to stop. His hand started to shake, so ready for more, he didn’t want to do it by accident and hurt him. “I told you it was complicated. It’s one of those things we gotta go slow on.”God, he was so hard, so worked up. Yeah, it had been awhile since he actually had sex, but he never had to explain before. Everyone already knew what they were doing and he’d never been with a virgin before, so he didn’t have to explain the mechanics. Now that he did, he was so ready to do it, to feel it with him. To show him how amazing it could be. He didn’t have the urge to top often, until now. Now he was screaming for it.“I want to.” Ian grabbed Mickey’s hand and wrapped it back around his body. “I know you do too. I can feel it. I can see it.”Mickey pushed his head against Ian’s, his eyes were so dark. “Tell me what you want. I can make you come without doing that stuff. That’s what you wanted, right?”“I want to be with you, Mickey.” Ian kissed from Mickey’s mouth to his ear. “I know you want more, I do too. Give me more.”“Ian.” Mickey closed his eyes, fighting it and himself. He gripped Ian’s ass, squeezing hard enough for him to make that sound again, he almost thought about slapping it, but couldn’t bring himself to do it.“Let me do it to you then.” Ian countered quickly. He wasn’t giving up. “Switch places with me. Let me do it.”“Fuck.”“Please!”“Fine.” Mickey gave in, pulling Ian’s mouth back to his for a series of messy, biting kisses that left his lips tingly. “I’m gonna finger you, but if you don’t like it, we wait.” Ian was about to argue and he shook his head. “We wait.”“Alright.”Mickey smiled eagerly and kissed him again, taking him to taste him, to drink down that sexy gasp he made. “Good. We don’t have to rush this, Ian. We have time, okay? It’ll take time.”“I just really want you.”“You have me.”Ian smiled. “You have me too.”“Kiss me.” Mickey demanded with a flirty smile. Ian kissed him and he wrapped both arms around his back, holding him to his chest. It continued until Ian forced him back with a grip on his hair. “Normally, I’d use lube for this, but I don’t just keep that shit in my bag. We’re gonna have to use spit.”“Is there anything I can do?”Mickey traced Ian’s lip with his finger. Just one. “Get it wet for me.” Ian gasped, surprised, but held his wrist and slowly pushed his finger into his mouth. Mickey hissed, his cock pulsing the minute Ian started to suck on it. When he pulled it out, it was wet and he put it back against his hole.“If it’s too much, let me know.”Ian had a firm grip on his shoulders. “I promise.”“Okay, baby.” Mickey circled him again, wetting the surrounding area, then watched his face as he slowly pushed it in. Just a little, but Ian tensed, so he backed off. God he was so beautiful, just never nervous. “Some people don’t like it, and that’s okay.”“I’m fine.” Ian insisted.He did it again, easing just the tip inside before he pulled out, then again and again to get him used to the sensation. Ian was panting softly between them, holding his shoulders tightly. This time when he did it, he didn’t pull out and his finger was slowly sliding into him. He was so tight, almost painfully so, and it was such a rush to know no one had done this before.“Mickey…” Ian put his face in Mickey’s neck.“Just breathe.” Mickey coached and kissed his ear. Once he was all the way in, down to his knuckle, he waited, letting him adjust, petting down his back, his thigh, trying to make it easier for him. “I can stop.”“Don’t, I’m fine.” Ian promised. “Keep going.”“Touch yourself.” Mickey said and Ian pulled back to look at him. “It’ll keep your mind off it, help make it easier.”“You’re sure?”“Very.” Mickey took Ian’s hand and put it on his cock, green eyes rolled back and he took over, stroking slowly. “Nothing fast, just go slow.” When Ian got a steady pace going, Mickey gently pulled his finger out, then pushed back in, then out again, then back in. Ian’s legs were shaking.“This is all it is. It just gets faster, deeper, adding more fingers.”“I don’t know… ” Ian shook his head, working himself as Mickey said. “Am I doing something wrong?”“No, not at all.” Mickey stopped, but didn’t take his finger out. “Like I said, not everyone likes it. And I can stop, I won’t be mad.” He watched Ian fight with himself, not knowing what to do. “I wanna try something and if you still don’t know after that, we can stop.”“Try what?”Mickey smiled. “I have to go deeper, but just a little.”“Maybe if I did something to you while we do this, I’d enjoy it more. I like touching you.” Ian slid his hand down, adjusting a little until Mickey filled his hand. “I want you to feel good too.”“Ian, you always make me feel good.” Mickey pushed into Ian’s hand, allowing just a moment of his own pleasure before he made Ian stop. “Let me do what I want to try, then start touching me, okay?”“Okay.”“Okay.” Mickey pushed himself back against the wall a little more, making sure Ian didn’t slide off one way or another, then wrapped one arm around his lower back. He pulled out just enough to wet his finger again, and he couldn’t stop groaning at the taste of him, Ian’s eyes were so wide. He slipped it back in, thrusting just like before and watched Ian struggle to decide. It only lasted a few seconds before he was curling his finger, getting the perfect angle to press into Ian’s sweet spot and when he did…everything changed.“Oh, fuck.” Ian sagged forward, he couldn’t stop moaning. “Mickey…what?”“Easy, baby.” Mickey didn’t stop, he kept going, pressing into it again and again. Ian’s body moved against his, rutting, seeking friction. “How’s that feel, hmm?”Ian let out a loud moan, jerking himself quickly. “Fuck, fuck, fuck. Mickey.”Mickey let up a little so it wasn’t as intense but still fingered him. He stopped hitting his prostate before it got to be too much and Ian whined. “Talk to me, Ian. Tell me what you’re feeling.”“Why’d you stop?” Ian complained, his face a little numb. “I really liked that.” He was panting, wrecked in just a few seconds. “I liked it, I just…” a shiver moved over his body. “ Does it always feel like that?”“That’s what I feel when you do it to me.” Mickey was so worked up, especially knowing Ian liked it, that he wanted more. He was ready for more, he was ready to make Ian come, to make himself come. “Fuck, it makes me come so hard when you touch me like that.”“I see why, that was just...” Ian shook his head, unable to find the right words to describe what he felt. But he couldn’t say it. “ I don’t know what that was, but I want it again.”“It’ll make you come.” Mickey warned, he looked down to see Ian leaking all over him, the wetness shining from the candles glow. “That okay with you?”“What about you?” Ian asked, curious green eyes moved across Mickey’s body.“Trust me, seeing you will make me come.”Ian’s hand was still on his cock, but Mickey’s cock was lined up with his, pulsing. “I can get the both of us.”Mickey growled. “Only if you want to.”“I do.” Ian said quickly. “I want you to come.”With them on the same page, Mickey went in deep, stroking over that sensitive bundle of nerves. Ian gasped, his entire body shaking, he fell against his shoulder for a moment, so overwhelmed, so needy for it. Mickey kept him close, kept him from falling and went faster.“God, you’re so fucking perfect like this, Ian.”“I feel it.” Ian said in surprise, his head dropped back. He wasn’t even touching himself yet and he felt it. “God, I feel it.”“Don’t fight it, Ian. Enjoy it.” Mickey was aching, so tempted just to fuck him, to ask for it, to be buried so deep inside him when he came, but he couldn’t make himself say it. “God, you’re gonna make me come, just knowing you like it.”“Tell me what to do.”“Ian…”“Just tell me!” Ian held him tighter, his body trembling.“I want you to come with me and I can’t hold it.” Ian whined, his body was already shaking. He was barely holding on.“My cock, baby.” Mickey whined, finally giving in. He couldn’t stand it anymore. “Touch me.”Ian moved fast, taking them both in one of his hands. Mickey gripped his hip and lifted his hips once, it felt so good he couldn’t help it. They weren’t going to last. “That’s it!”Ian begged. “Faster.”Mickey did it faster, his arm was cramping from the repetitive movement, but he kept going. Ian was clenching around him, moaning right into his ear, making it feel like he really was inside him. He couldn’t stop if he wanted to. Ian was glorious.“Fuck, I’m so close.”Ian let his head fall back, his eyes closing. “I’m already there. God, oh fuck.”The moment Ian came, Mickey was already watching, looking down between them. Ian coated him in his come, his own hand, and never stopped jerking them. He was riding it out, all but pumping into his own fist, wanting it to last and Mickey just couldn’t handle it anymore. Seeing Ian in pleasure was his breaking point. He eased off Ian’s prostate, but kept fingering him so he wouldn’t just be cut off, and he came. It was too hard to resist. His grip on Ian’s hip tightened, his head tilting back, eyes closed, his body on fire. Ian’s hand was still around them, holding but not stroking. He stopped moving all together and Ian was resting against him, panting, shaking.“Are you okay?” Mickey asked, sliding his fingers out, Ian gasped. He could hardly recognize his own voice, it sounded tired, strained.“I feel so good. ” Ian mumbled against his shoulder. “I’m glad we didn’t stop, that was just…fantastic.”Mickey grinned, it was a job well, well done. He felt high, felt so good he never wanted it to end. “Good, I’m glad you are, and that you liked it.”“I’ve been missing out.”“Well, now that we know you like it, I can do it again.” Mickey rubbed up his back, enjoying the feel of him so relaxed against him. “Tired?”Ian hummed. “Very. But I don’t want to sleep. I want to spend time with you.” He rose up, taking Mickey’s face in his hands. “I’m sorry for how I was before, being negative about it.”The tension eased back, allowing them to freely talk about what had happened. They were still naked, sweaty and covered in each other, but their minds were clear, more so than when the night started. That release, that time they spent together, finding each other again, gave Ian the courage to talk about it.“It’s okay. I can’t imagine how hard it is. And I’m here to help you work through it however I can.” Ian leaned in and kissed him, thoroughly. He looked so beautiful but so very tired. Ian was struggling. “Okay?”“Thank you. I think it’ll take some time, maybe a lot of time. But what you said before, about not having anything or anyone in my life that makes it better, worth living…you’re wrong. I have you. ”Mickey smiled. “I guess that’s why I feel more guilty now than before, because I’m so happy with you. It feels unfair, you know?”Mickey smiled sadly, he understood so much. “I know. It doesn’t matter if you’re happy, or miserable, or dead, that guilt will still be there until it’s had time to work its way through.” Green eyes filled with tears again. And he swiped them away with his thumbs. “You’ve been punished for the last hundred years or more, and I don’t think it makes a difference if you didn’t know about it until now. It’s not like you’ve been out there living your best life. You’ve suffered.”“I have.” Ian looked down. “I just don’t know when it will even out. Or how much is enough.”Mickey took Ian’s hands, then kissed them, and pulled him against his chest. “We can handle it, Ian. A little at a time, just like we’ve been handing everything else. We can figure this out together. We can help you heal.”“I love you.” Ian said quietly. He didn’t know what else to say to tell Mickey what he was feeling. The feelings themselves were too complicated to explain. “Thank you.”“I love you too, Ian.” Mickey wrapped both arms around him and closed his eyes. It would be a long road ahead, and it wouldn’t be all happy times, probably more bad than good, but in the end it would be worth it. He was worth it to Ian, Ian was worth it to himHe just hoped whatever Mandy and Sammi were able to find would help Ian, help him heal, help him get on with his life. To start living it. Free of guilt, free to be happy.Happy with him.
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The Devil’s TriangleChapter 18- Legend“This is a bad idea.” Knox said for the millionth time but he was sure no one was listening to him. They hadn’t listened at the airport, or in the cab that looked to be as old as the earth itself, they still hadn’t listened at their hotel where they just dumped their bags and were ready to leave and they weren’t listening to him now, so he said it again.“This is a really bad idea.”“God, will you shut it?” Mandy snapped and turned back to glare at him. The sun was set low in the sky and she still had to squint to see. “We know this looks bad, like really bad…like ‘we are about to be murdered’ bad, but this is what we came here for. We have to keep going.”Ireland was beautiful in every single way. From the culture to the people, and everything in between. But there was a lot of mystery, myths and legends and things that couldn’t be explained.Knox had been a time or two, it’s where he met Sammi, it’s where she used to work the majority of their relationship, but this was pushing it. They’d used the book Sammi had and although it took almost all day, they found what they were looking for. The more mysterious parts of Ireland. The parts that they should have left alone. Parts that made his skin attempt to crawl away from him.They were out in the middle of nowhere. No roads, no signs of any kind, no people, cars, nothing. There was wilderness, beautiful forests and a waterfall, mountains as far as the eye could see, but no civilization. It made them seem very small, like they were the only people in the entire world. It was getting darker by the second and although they had supplies just in case this or if that happened, it left them feeling exposed, frightened.Knox would admit to being afraid, and not much scared him. This did, the unknown did. Ian did a little, or he had when they first met because it was new, something only heard about in stories. As they trekked through the trees, up and down the steep hills, through the puddles of mud due to the sudden rain storm that lasted about five seconds. Not long enough to wash them out but enough to cover them head to toe. His boots still squeaked when he turned too fast. It was a good thing the girls were smart and wore boots as well.“How do we know that’s even there anymore?” Knox asked and motioned to the slip of paper thatSammi called a map. “That thing is older than anything we’ve ever seen before. Most of that shit doesn’t even exist anymore.” Mandy stopped abruptly that Knox almost lost his balance and slammed into her back.“The fuck?”Mandy turned around, eyebrows drawn in irritation, hands on her hips. “No one asked your to come, Knox. It was supposed to be just Sammi and I and you were supposed to stay with Mickey and Ian. You know this shit would be a little weird, and more than a little crazy.”“Yeah, but not mindlessly roaming through the entire fucking countryside to find something so old it might not be there anymore!” Knox deepened his voice so it sounded like a growl. Milkovich’s didn’t scare him.“Ian is over three hundred years old, Mandy, and that map has to be twice that old. Do you realize how much this place has changed in the last decade, let alone a few centuries!”“We don’t have a choice.” Mandy replied but this time her voice was softer. “I know you’re freaked out, trust me, we are too, but we have to do this. This is for Ian.”“She’s right.” Sammi stepped up next to them, a hand on each of their shoulders and they both looked at her. “But he’s right too, Mandy. We need to be careful and practical about this.”Knox took a step back, letting her hand fall to the side, which earned him a kicked puppy look. It hurt, for them both, but they still hadn’t talked much since all this started and now wasn’t the time.“Fine, but we should be careful. It’s almost dark. If we don’t find what we are looking for in the next hour, which is when the sun goes all the way down, we set up camp and call it a night.” When Mandy went to argue, he held his hand up. “No, we aren’t going to walk off a cliff looking for a way to help Ian. We can’t do shit if we don’t make it back.”“Fine,” Mandy huffed and looked at the sliver of sunlight left. She flipped it off. “But no more bitching about how much this sucks or how dangerous it is. We fucking know.”The only thing that made him feel better about that is the amount of weapons he was carrying. It wasn’t just the guns under both arms, strapped into a shoulder holster, but also the one at his left ankle, the shotgun safety strapped to his back, and half a dozen knives hidden in places only he knew about. There were probably more in his bag, but after six, he lost track. And although he didn’t need them to be safe, or keep the girls safe, it made him feel better about their chances. Not just whatever might be in the trees around them, but in case they ran into any more of Noah’s guys.He didn’t want to take any chances. He wasn’t the only one armed, so he didn’t feel overdressed. Mandy had a gun too, and just like Mickey, she knew her way around it. And Sammi, well, she was like the female version of him. That spoke for itself.“Okay, okay, fine, just keep going.” Knox gave her a wink, which provoked that crooked Milkovich smile, one he was so used to and suddenly they were fine again. “But it feels like we are going in circles. Mind if I lead?”Sammi handed over the delicate book without hesitation. “Most of it is in a different language.”“I can manage.” Knox said without looking up and felt the unease spread because of it. He looked at the map, recognizing a few pieces of what they’d seen, and where they’d gone, but it wasn’t like an atlas, it had pictures, writing, which was in another language, or two. “I wouldn’t call this a map.”.“I didn’t.” Sammi barked. “But it’s the closest thing to lead us somewhere for answers. It’s the only thing we have.”“We’ve been looking for that big cluster of rocks against the side of the mountain we are on.” Sammi was able to translate those footnotes scribbled on the side. “it’s supposed to be below those rocks.”“Do we have a name for it yet?”Sammi shook her head. “The translation was loosely printed. It’s got to have an actual name, but it’s hard to make out. I’m almost sure it’s a village, or a camp, something hidden, a place they call home and that’s what we are looking for.”“Aren’t these supposed to be your relatives?”“Kind of, “ancestors" is a loose term too. My grandmother gave it to me, along with the book. I called her on the way here, then again at the hotel and she swears up and down that the so-called map is the way to find them.”Knox took off down the hill, towards where Sammi had been leading them. “I sure as hell hope you’re right, and pray that you aren’t.”Sammi jogged to keep up with him.“Why?”“Because we have no idea who the fuck these people are, or what they want or what they do. Who says they want to help us? Who says they aren’t like the same asshole who did this to Ian? We don’t know anything here. We are going in blind and I hate it.”Silence stretched around them and suddenly Sammi and Mandy didn’t seem too eager to keep going. Maybe because they were so focused on trying to help Ian that they didn’t realize it could end up hurting him, or them, they could suffer the same fate Ian did now. It all came down to who these people were, if they were good, or bad…they just didn’t know. They all felt the unease. The fear.“We take this step by step, we take every single precaution.” Knox took the time to look into their eyes. “If something bad happens, we run. If it feels weird, we run. One thing, and I mean it, one thing feels off and we are out of there. Okay?”“Okay.” Mandy and Sammi said as one.“Good.” Knox turned back, took a deep breath and continued down their path.*Over two hours later, an hour more than Knox suggested, they were still searching. Exhausted, panting, with growling stomachs and aching feet, they continued down the same path. The sun had set, the night rolled over them like smoke, leaning them in the dark, save for their headlamps and flashlights. It wasn’t much, not nearly enough to see five feet in front of them, but they were determined not to give up until they absolutely had to.“Okay,” Knox said as he stepped and leaned against a tree, it felt rotten under his back, but it held his weight while he caught his breath. “I’m calling it. It’s been over an hour and still nothing.”“Knox…” Mandy whined, but got caught up in a coughing fit that lasted long enough for her to realize it was over for now. “Fine, fuck.”The area around them wasn’t as steep as the rest of the journey had been. It was semi flat, enough for them to set up their tents, and get some sleep until morning came and they started it all over again. Although exhausted, they unpacked their bags and set up two good sized tents, one for Sammi and Mandy to share because they were women and needed privacy for some reason. Knox did it out of respect, and didn’t question it, but it wasn’t like they were high maintenance or anything. They didn’t need absolute comfort and glam, just a safe place to rest and that’s what they had.With the tents set up, and Mandy and Sammi doing their best to make it comfortable, Knox set out to make a fire. He roamed the area around them, gathering whatever he could find, sticks and limbs from trees, brush under a few bushes and set it off to the side. The stones were next, rocks that were at least ten pounds each. He made a circle, then used the handheld shovel to dig out the dirt from inside, then put all the wood he gathered inside, essentially creating a fire pit. It started with little effort and suddenly it wasn’t so dark anymore and they could see each other.“I really hope this works.” Mandy said as she sat on one of the unused rocks near the fire and put her hands up close to warm them. “I feel like Ian is counting on us to make this right.”Knox knelt next to her, one knee to the ground and warmed his hands as well.“It’s not on us, Mandy. We said we would do our best and that’s all that he’s going to ask for. We don’t even know if Mickey told him.”“Why wouldn’t he?”“He probably doesn’t want to get his hopes up unless we have something concrete.” Knox said as a matter of fact and Mandy nodded, like she knew it all along. “We do our best, but he wouldn’t want us to risk our lives over it. You know he wouldn’t. Mickey either.”“He risked his life for us, a number of times.” Mandy countered but it held no heat. “He doesn’t deserve to live that way anymore, Knox. I want him and Mickey to be happy.”“They are.” Sammi joined them on the other side, a bottle of water in each hand. She tossed it at them and they caught it. “They are already happy, Mandy. Happier than most people I’ve seen. If we fail, that won’t change.”“I don’t want to fail.”“We all don’t want that. But it’s a definite possibility. The only thing we can do is try, like Knox said.”Knox looked away from her and down into the fire. Betrayal still hung heavy between them and he knew it was stupid, she didn’t really betray them, but it was all about perception and his was foggy.Them not talking didn’t help things at all.Ignoring it only made it worse, but they were neck deep without a paddle and it didn’t feel right to talk about them when Ian’s life was on the line. It would have to wait and he’d have to hope that by the end of this thing, they’d still be whole.“We should eat and get some sleep. I’m sure we have another long day tomorrow.” Knox stood to get his bag and dug into it for whatever food they had, which wasn’t much—beef jerky, granola bars, easy shit like that—, because he hasn’t meant for them to be out this long, but it was enough and he handed it over to each of them and kept some for himself.“We leave as soon as it’s light out. I don’t want to be out here another night.”They settled into comfortable silence while they ate. Taking sips of water here and there to ensure they didn’t run out too soon, and kept warm by the fire. Knox avoided Sammi’s eyes, looking anywhere but directly at her. He could feel her eyes, her need for some sort of talk, to ensure their connection wasn’t lost for good, but he didn’t know if he could offer her that right now. So he didn’t try. He kept a look out into the darkness around their little circle of light, wondering if these so called ‘witches’ were watching them, or hunting them, or not out there at all. He checked the fire, added more wood and poked at it with a stick to keep it going, he checked his phone for any signs that Mickey or Quinn had called, but they had no cell service that far into the wilderness.That alone should have been their reason to leave. But the loss, the failure if they did leave was so overwhelming.“Set an alarm, I’m going to bed.” Mandy said with a mouthful of food and stood, turned and slithered into her tent.That left him alone with Sammi and that was the real fear he felt. Fuck everything else for a moment, he was afraid. It was awkward, tense and full of unspoken words. The fire separated them, as well as the Grand Canyon, and he still couldn’t meet her eyes. She stared at him openly, knowing it was making him itch, making him want to talk just to fill the silence, or leave to continue avoiding it. Talking now would have been bad and he didn’t trust himself not to say the wrong thing because his mind wasn’t in it, not all the way.“I’m going to bed too. ” Knox tossed the trash back into his bag and stood, slinging it across his back but he didn’t get far. He heard her stand. “I don’t want to do this right now.”“We have to talk about this.”“No, we don’t.” He didn’t turn around. If he saw that grief stricken look, he’d crack and give in. “Eventually, yeah we need to, but not now. We have too much shit going on.”“It’ll only get worse if we wait.” Sammi moved around the fire pit, getting closer to him. “I know I fucked up, Knox, but if I knew I was working for Noah in the beginning, I wouldn’t have taken the job. I sure as hell don’t want to hurt Ian, or anyone else. You especially.”Knox shut his eyes. He already knew all this, but that feeling hadn’t gone away and he wasn’t sure why, or what it meant for them. “I get it, okay? I do. But that doesn’t change anything right now. I need time to work through all this shit, and I can’t do that and worry about trying to keep Ian alive. We are going to have to wait.”Her silence was all he needed to realize she understood what he meant, even when it sounded harsh. Everything else had to wait, they didn’t have a choice. And with that knowledge at the front of his mind, and nothing else to say without being an asshole, he walked to his tent, kicked off his dirty boots and went inside without another word.**Sleep came easily, even when his mind was a never ending mess. Exhaustion would knock you on your ass, and it had. He didn’t dream, he didn’t toss and turn on the hard ground under his sleeping bag, or that one rock pressing right into his lower back, even the sound of his own heart beat pounding in his ear didn’t keep him up. He slept hard, probably not resting, or dreaming, but much needed sleep that would help push him and the girls to their goal in the morning.It must have been just before dawn when all that hard sleep was interrupted, although not in a violent way. He didn’t jerk upright at the sound of the tent being unzipped, in fact, he barely heard it and his body must have known it was either Sammi or Mandy because he didn’t freak out and panic or grab his gun. It wasn’t dangerous, nothing that would hurt physically anyway. The sound came again as the tent was zipped back up and he still hadn’t opened his eyes, but let his head fall to one side as he let out a sleepy groan.When nothing happened, and he assumed whoever it had been was gone, he relaxed further into the sleeping bag. It took seconds to hear the irritating rustle of the bag, like someone kneeling on the end of it to make that annoying sound. He stirred again, feeling one foot tingle near his ankle, like it too had fallen asleep. Only it spread up his leg, first one, then the other, and he realized soon after that it wasn’t asleep, but that hands were on him, hands he knew like the back of his own, that burning touch that made everything inside him pulse to life.“Hmmm,” Knox gave a little hum but refused to open his eyes in case it was a dream. He didn’t want to break it and wake up if it was.Hands moved to his calves, squeezing just enough for him to feel her strength before they moved higher to his thighs, forcing a deep groan out this time, one he couldn’t take back and hadn’t meant to voice. It felt good, better than good actually, a touch he hadn’t had in a few months, one he’d been craving like any man away from his woman would be. She’d squeeze a little, then release, making his body pulse in waves that led south, which had him pressed roughly into the zipper of his jeans.The moment a heavy weight sat down on his lap, his body moved for him. His legs spread, socked feet digging into the sleeping bag under him, his hands moved to her hips, her soft, wide, very bare hips and he lifted up, his groin pushing right against her ass. He groaned on instinct, way before the feeling even registered to his sleepy mind. She made the same sound, although softer, feminine and the only thing he needed to allow it to happen.There was no talking, and when he opened his eyes it was too dark to see her, but he didn’t need his sight. He knew her, all of her, all the sounds and faces she made, the way she tasted, how it felt when she came. He knew it all, he provoked all those responses, even created a few of them. And she knew him the same way, down to his bones, his blood. She knew her own body like she knew his and moved the way they both liked. He held her while she did it, while her hips rotated and the softest parts of her moved across the hardest parts of him and it felt so good, better than what he remembered.“If you don’t want to, just tell me.”Her voice was soft, intimate and he shuddered, his hips faltering before he picked up that rhythm again. She was asking him anyway, not just assuming he wanted it because they were grinding together. He could feel her breath against his face, and lifted a little so his nose rubbed against hers.Their lips touched, but no kiss was given, by either of them.Knox moved to her neck but he didn’t kiss it, just breathed heavily against it, inhaling, bringing that smell, her smell back into his body. It heated him, and settled something restless inside of him at the same time. Now it was her turn to shudder, forcing her to push harder against him, her thighs squeezing around his hips, like she couldn’t control them any more than he could control when he moved against her.“Tell me.” She said again, urgently this time.“Fuck.” Knox cursed when he slipped his hand down a little more and felt nothing but skin. She was naked from the waist down, wearing only a thin t-shirt to cover the rest of her. “Yes.” He whispered finally and as she lifted to reach down for the button on his jeans, his fingers moved around the side of her cheeks, feeling wetness before anything else. She tensed, moaning softly but didn’t stop and within seconds his jeans were open, split roughly to the side and she was reaching for him.“I missed you.” Sammi whispered as she lifted a little more and made sure she had room. “I missed us.”Know growled, his face still in her neck. That was his only answer. The more she touched him, the harder it was to form even the simplest thoughts. She moved down with him tight in her grip and he was enveloped with all that heat, the wetness was overwhelming and she didn’t stop until she was back against his hips, full of him, as deep as she could take it. Knox sat up then, both arms wrapped around her lower back, holding her to him as she whimpered in his ear. They didn’t move right away, and dive off that cliff until they were lost, it wasn’t needed. They were lost the moment they touched and the only thing that kept them from breaking was each other.“I love you.” Knox whispered, so softly he wasn’t sure she heard him until the arms around his neck squeezed and she moved closer to his chest. “So much.”Her reply was lost in another moan, he started to move before she could reply and there was no way he’d be able to stop. Everything was fucked up, sex wouldn’t fix things between them, but it was all they had at the moment, it was all they could spare.***It was midday by the time they found what they were looking for. The sun was high in the sky, like a blazing ball of fire above them and even through the trees there wasn’t very shade. They hiked up and down the side of the mountain, following the ‘map’ , making sure they were headed in somewhat of a right direction. For awhile, Knox was convinced it was all a crock of shit, until he didn’t.Halfway down the mountain they started to see signs of life, not so much civilization, but life. Some of the trees had been cut away— cut, not chopped by machines or anything like that— probably to make room for buildings of some sort, houses, whatever they wanted to call them. If they had any. They didn’t, not yet. All they saw was a clearing where the trees had been, a narrow path down to the bottom of the mountain and a bunch of weird things. Not weird like Blair Witch weird, but weird.Things hung on trees, traps maybe, or decorations. Sticks and rocks strung together, bones too, hence the weird vibe. There was no way to tell whether or not it was human, or animal, or both.Knox had been fine until then, willing to give it a chance, until the bones. Then he pulled one of his guns, made sure the safety was off and a round in the chamber. He kept it down at his side, but in a strong grip just in case. He didn’t want their bones to be added to the collection any time soon.They passed a small body of water, so small it could have been called a puddle, and along the edges were baskets, handmade. Stick stuck out of the mud at the shoreline, almost like fishing poles would have been, just waiting for a bite or two.“This must be it.”Knox glared back at Sammi, his eyebrows drawn in tight. “We don’t even know what this is.”“What else could it be?”“Something fucking weird.” Knox nudged one of the baskets with his foot. “I know we are out in the middle of nowhere but this just doesn’t feel right.”Mandy snorted. “You’re just like Mickey. Nothing feels right to you.”She shoved past him, forcing him to swallow a growl or risk getting elbowed in the chest before he caught back up to her and took the lead. She knew he would, which was the point. He wanted to be first and if she tried, or Sammi, he wouldn’t be able to help himself. Master manipulators, the both of them. He wasn’t sure how he survived with them for so long, but they hadn’t killed him…yet.“My grandmother said they were weird people. They don’t like other people aside from each other, they live close together, rely on nature. That sort of thing.”“Witches.” Knox muttered, wondering when he’d wake the fuck up from whatever dream he landed in. “If they come out and try to eat us, I’m shooting first.”“You’re being paranoid.”“Damn right I am.” Knox moved away from the water and seconds later he saw what had to be the underside of the cliff, complete with what seemed to be a house, or houses, all squished together, looking like a large gust of wind would knock them down. “Fuck.”“Put that down or they won’t talk to us.” Mandy hissed and slapped at his arm.“No fucking way.”“Knox.” Sammi said in a stern voice and he put it away, but didn’t relax. “Just let me handle it, okay?”Why this was working on him, he didn’t know. Their little make up last night had been everything they needed it to be, and nothing at the same time. It didn’t fix anything, or change what happened, but it proved that they still loved each other, that they weren’t giving up. For some reason because of last night, she had a little sway over him and she was using it. He was letting her use it.“Fine.”Mandy smiled.Sammi patted his chest a little.Knox was fuming. Almost changing his mind because of it, but then she took a step away, towards that creepy little house and gave a polite knock. He rolled his eyes on instinct. Whoever was inside probably knew they were there. It wasn’t like they got many visitors. The reply came seconds later, not the door opening or anything, but a few words spoken in what he knew was a different language and nothing he was familiar with. Sammi seemed to know, because she gave a little nod and backed away from the door.Then it opened.It was a woman, just a woman. Not a swamp demon or a green skinned, hat-wearing-witch with a wart on her nose, but a woman. She seemed to be in her eighties, but he knew better. She was way, way older than that and looked good for however old she really was. Her hair was dark, paper straight and a dark brown color. She was pale, but not ghostly white, but the shade of the trees didn’t really let much light in, not that she needed much to begin with. Her eyes seemed black in color, but the longer Knox looked into them, they more afraid he felt, not just fear, but anxiety, warning, danger. It overlapped one at a time until it was too much and he blinked away, and if all faded.“Are you okay?”Knox nodded, lying, and let Mandy put her hand on his face. She must have seen something weird, his lack of reaction maybe, or lack of hostility, but she noticed.“I’m okay.”“I didn’t know she knew their language.”“Either did I.” Knox gave her hand a little squeeze, in thank you, and they both focused on Sammi conversing with that old lady without effort.The talking stopped, and Sammi turned to them, leaving the smiling, squinty eyed lady smiling at them. “Okay, we are in the right place.”“I see that.” Knox gave an off handed comment. “What did she say?”“She welcomed us to her home and said she knew why we were here.”“How?” Mandy asked.Sammi shrugged. “She won’t say for certain, but I wonder if she’s connected to magic still. My grandmother said all those who were gifted with magic were connected. That they could feel its power no matter how much time or space was between them.”Mandy looked beyond Sammi to glare at the old woman. “No offense, but I’m kinda sick of this ‘my grandmother bullshit.”Knox grinned so hard his face hurt.“That’s my only source, so sue me.” Sammi defended with slight irritation.“I don’t know how this shit works, but it does. I’ve seen it with my own two eyes.”“Okay, whatever.” Mandy said loudly in hopes the conversation would drop instantly about it. “Let’s just do what we set out to do and leave, I don’t like this place.”The woman seemed to know what they were talking about because she turned away from them and went back towards her house. They all watched, thinking she would shut them out, deny them entry, until she motioned for them to follow her, stepped inside and left them to decide. Knox would have already said no, if Sammi didn’t just waltz right in after her like they’d been friends for a decade. Of course he had to go after her, there was no choice, but he had to pull Mandy along by the strap of her backpack, bitching the entire way until the door magically shut behind them.Inside was dark, lit only by candles on any available surface. Inside looked almost like outside, but instead of trees there were plants, endless amounts of plants, some hanging, others in pots on the ground, making the inside smell fresh and clean, instead of musty like Knox originally expected. The furniture was all handmade, the small bed in the back, the chairs, the table and endless carvings of animals, even a big one the size of a small child in one corner, a bear to be exact. It was small and weird, but it had a homey touch, a comfortable feeling to it that he hadn’t expected.The old woman didn’t say a word and walked to the table. Sammi blindly followed her, almost eagerly, while he and Mandy approached slowly, with caution and confusion. The woman sat down, the wrinkles on her face pulled tightly when she smiled and offered them a seat. Sammi took the one right next to her, he and Mandy hadn’t moved and no one seemed to mind. It would have been less weird if the woman spoke, which she hadn’t yet, and even less weird if Knox didn’t feel like they were about to be ganged up on by wild people in the trees, beaten and turned into that nights dinner.“Is she going to say something?” Mandy asked bluntly.Sammi glared.“She will, when she’s ready.”“I’m just saying we don’t have all night.”Knox felt a chill creep up his back. “I’d rather not be here at night.”Mandy agreed with a nod of her head and couldn’t suppress a shiver.“Just get it started, or make her talk, do something besides follow her around like a puppy.”Before Sammi could come back with what was probably a good reply, mostly sarcasm and attitude, the old lady spoke. Only they couldn’t understand her. She spoke in that same language and only Sammi seemed to be able to follow along. Which wasn’t very helpful, but better than nothing.Knox listened, the old woman spoke quietly, softly so he couldn’t hardly hear her and halfway through a sentence she stopped, bent down and grabbed something under the table. He figured it was a hidden weapon so he instantly grabbed the butt of his gun, the one tucked under his arm and half his anxiety melted away. He was ready, but he didn’t need to be. She came back up with a giant book, one that looked as old as her and twice as heavy. The cover was brown, almost like it was made from animal hide, the pages torn and falling out, held together by twine wrapped in the center, leading all the way around the book.“I thought she was about to make this even weirder.” Mandy whispered so Sammi couldn’t hear her.Knox clenched his teeth and reluctantly let go of his weapon. He didn’t reply with much more than that because she opened the crumbling book and the pages sounded like someone stepping on a pile of crunchy leaves. She’d talk, point to the book, converse with Sammi in that weird language and do it all over again. That lasted about ten minutes before Mandy was shifting on her feet, impatiently waiting for an answer, a clue, something.Minutes ticked by and he was about to say something. Then the talking stopped. The old woman looked up at them with that same smile, one that could mean she was plotting their death and her dinner, or one that said she had the cure they needed for Ian, a way to help Mickey and put Noah off his trail. But it was almost too good to be true. They hadn’t had much luck up to that point, he didn’t want to get his expectations too high and be dropped to the ground again. It would be too much and he was tired.“What the hell is she saying!?” Mandy huffed, fed up with all the secret talk.“She was telling me about Ian’s human, before Mickey, the guy named Danny.”Knox stopped breathing, he was halfway through a breath and it got trapped in his lungs. He and Mandy exchanged a look. Eyes wide.“She knows him?”Sammi nodded with a sad smile. “According to her, that’s her brother.”They both tilted their heads at the same time, thinking the same thing, remembering when Mickey slipped on Ian’s age, giving them some idea of how old he was, of how old this Danny guy had to be. And if she was his sister, she was way, way older than she looked.“And what does she have to say about him?” Knox asked when it was clear that Mandy wasn’t going to ask, or couldn’t.Sammi smiled brightly this time, giving a sign of hope. “A lot.”****(Five days later)“I don’t think we should tell him.”Knox stopped dead in his tracks and looked back with an expression that he assumed was deadly because Sammi took a step back. Her eyes wide, afraid; of him. They were back at the airport, ready to board when she hit him with that comment. Mandy was getting her bag checked again and told them she’d catch up.“Please tell me you’re kidding.” Knox asked metaphorically, a hint of an attitude in his tone. “This is this entire reason we came.”“I know, but I think it’ll cause more issues than would actually help.”He shook his head and turned back to her. She looked sad, tired, but under that was uncertainty. She wouldn’t meet his eyes either and he was desperately trying to see them, to see the truth in them.“This will change everything, Sammi. This is what Ian and Mickey need. This is how we keep Noah off their asses and you don’t want to tell them?”“No, not after learning what we know. Not after knowing what they have to give up to get what they want. It’s extreme, Knox, more so than I could have imagined. I don’t think they can handle it.”The news from that creepy lady was worrisome and a little frightening. By the end of that visit, and two more like it over the last five days, they had some sort of idea how to fix it all, how to get Ian back to his normal self, how to keep them together, but it wasn’t without complications or sacrifices. There was a price, just like with the spell Ian did with Danny, only not unknown to them.They were sent to get the information, it was up to Ian and Mickey how they used it, or what they decided, together. It was life changing, and he wasn’t even joking about that. There was a chance Ian could be normal again, his version of it anyway. A life without a curse, without legs. He could be a full fledged mermaid again and be free to live his own life without punishment for his choices. There was also a way for Mickey to get what he wanted—to be with Ian, no matter what; land or sea; and it took over three days for Sammi to spill the details about her and Mickey’s talk about what Mickey might choose if he had to. Mickey wanted to be with Ian, on land, in the sea, legs or a tail, it didn’t matter. Mickey was willing to make that change to be with him. And he could now.“Sammi…”She shook her head. “This is big, Knox. Way bigger than I imagined. The sacrifice…it’s too much.”He clenched his jaw, irritated now that he knew what she was getting at. It wasn’t fear for their sacrifice, but one she’d have to make in order to help them.“Too much for them, or you?”Tears filled her eyes. “For me.”Without thinking, he strode over to her and got right in her face, not meaning to scare her—which he did by the way she flinched—but making his annoyance clear.“We have all made sacrifices because of Ian, and for Mickey. Especially the two of them, Ian the most. He almost died to bring a Mickey back to us. Now you don’t want to help him?”“Did you hear what she said!?” Sammi’s voice rose and the tears fell harder. “I could lose it all, Knox. All of it. My magic, my heritage. All gone”That wasn’t good enough for him and he shook his head. “If it goes wrong, we could die.” There was a moment of stiff silence for the both of them. Their eyes met, hers wet with tears, his hard with emotion and worry.“Ian, Mickey…me, we could die if it goes wrong.”“I know it’s a lot, okay? Don’t you think I know?” Knox’s voice rose as well, the anger leaving and making room for the fear. “You think I want to lose you, or Ian and Mickey? You think I’m not afraid?”She put her hand on his arm and felt him trembling.“I don’t want any of that.” Knox continued after a moment and it sounded like he was about to cry, his voice was caught in his throat. “All I want is for them to be happy, for Ian to be safe and for us to be together. But we can’t do that, we can’t do any of that unless we try and fix this, unless we try to help.”“I’m afraid.” She whispered.Knox dropped the small bag in his hand and brought her closer, his arms around her back so she was smashed against his chest. She was trembling. “So am I. But we have to try, baby. We can’t do nothing. Not after all we have been through, all that’s happened.”“I know.” Sammi pushed her face into his chest and his shirt soaked up all his tears. “I want to try, which is all I can promise. I don’t know as much as she did.”When his eyes opened, he saw Mandy coming towards them, eyes curious. Knox kissed the top of Sammi’s head and pulled back to see her face, eyes wet with tears.“We tell Mickey, because he’s the one who knows what Ian can or can’t handle. We leave it up to him to decide what he wants to tell Ian, or when. Does that sound okay?”She nodded, then nuzzled into his palm. “I still don’t like this.”Mandy stopped behind them, clearly giving them a little room, even when she wanted to know exactly what was going on.“I don’t like any of this, but I’m not sure what choice we have.”“Will you stay with me?” She asked hesitantly, eyes watering. Showing her fear without time to react and beat it back down.“If it happens, I’ll be with you the entire time.”The doors shut behind them, letting them know it was time to board the plane. Mandy moved past them and her mouth opened like she was about to ask, but closed as she rethought it and moved on. Knox grabbed Sammi’s hand and squeezed, rewarded with a smile, a ghost of her real one, they made their way into the plane and found their seats.The whole time, Knox was wondering if any of them would come out alive and the odds weren’t in their favor.
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The Devil’s Triangle
Chapter 19- To the Ends of the EarthIt had been almost a week since Mickey found Ian again, until they made up and solidified their relationship. Almost a week since Sammi and Mandy went to find out information about whatever spell or juju would help Ian. He didn’t even know Knox went with them until he didn’t return from the airport. He felt better knowing his sister was being looked after from a highly trained man. Knox would rather die than let anything bad happen to her on his watch, not to mention his girlfriend was riding shotgun for the entire trip.Another mermaid had been caught.Mickey was at home one morning, ignoring Iggy and Quinn in his living room, while drinking his coffee. He was used to them being there after a few days, just waiting for news, any news. But he still liked his mornings quiet and pumped with enough coffee to last a lifetime. One particular morning. He drank his coffee in silence but heard the morning news lady all the same.Another mermaid had been caught, “killed in captivity” is what the newspapers read. Mickey knew better, Ian as well, and they both knew it had something to do with Noah. Maybe he caught one by accident whilst trying to get caught up, to hunt Ian like he had been doing. Maybe this innocent mermaid just got caught and Noah was so mad he killed it. Just for spite.When Mickey met Ian later that same day, under the lighthouse, the only place rendered safe and close to home, Ian had already learned of the dead. He didn’t know if the sea told him, or a fish in his ear and didn’t didn’t elaborate. He just confirmed the gruesome death and looked as if he needed to be watched carefully if they ever came into contact with the person who did this.Noah.When that story aired on the tv that morning, Noah’s face made several appearances and confirmed that he was the one responsible. And he was. The camera crew lined up to kiss his ass and print every good thing he’d ever said to them. But it would taste of a lie and those who knew, knew better. Noah killed yet another mermaid, not by accident, or dor science, but for money.Mermaid Cove had yet to be found, if it was a real place. Mickey had been meaning to ask Ian about it but the more time they spent together, the less talking they did. It was full of need, intense sexual attraction that wouldn’t be ignored. They couldn’t keep their hands off each other after their sexual experiences became something they were quite equipped to deal with, it was all they could do.At night, or midday, after Ian changed back into a mermaid and needed time to do the little things he needed to do to be alright, healthy, Mickey would go back home, shower, eat and sleep, and wait for news. Mandy would call whenever they had service, only telling them what she could, that they were on the way, hunting Ian’s history into the desert. He’d check on everyone, touch base with Iggy and Quinn who had been keeping tabs on Noah, and made sure every night to see Ian.Even with all that had been going on, Mickey always found time for Ian. Always. Like he’d let someone else be in trouble just to spend time with Ian, even though that was ludicrous. They spent every night together, into the mornings when Ian became human. They’d use each other, consume each other until they were too tired to keep going, until the sun peaked out and demanded to see Ian’s tail.It wasn’t all about sex, it was more than that. It was about love, but he’d be the first to admit he had a hard time controlling himself around Ian, in any way, shape or form. Not just sex, but touching, to feel close, to feel involved and loved. Mickey couldn’t and wouldn’t say no, and Ian wouldn’t either. They were eager for each other, ravenous for it.They’d been waiting all week to hear any information about what had been found in Ireland. So far it had just been Knox checking in, telling them what’s what and when. Mickey still didn’t know when they’d be back, he didn’t know what they found out, if anything. It was eating at him, at the both and the more time they spent trying to find something, the more time Noah had to get to Ian.So far nothing “bad” had happened. Noah had been sighted around Mickey’s house, or his goons, taking pictures and driving past the house at all hours of the day. Mickey had found a tracking device on his keep, as well as one on Iggy’s Range Rover. Noah was trying to keep tabs on them, watching them in hopes of finding Ian, or seeing him, their locations.He was being a menace.Mickey was lounging the afternoon away inside his house, windows open to hear the ocean, drinking a beer while waiting to hear about Mandy, Knox and Sammi. He’d been watching tv, then pacing the floor , then walking out to the beach, hoping to see Ian. Before he went back inside, he saw Noah’s truck roll by like he was doing surveillance.The door opened quickly and he jumped, fumbling around for the gun tucked into his waistband. He sighed as Iggy showed his ugly mug in the doorway. Mickey cursed, setting his beer down before he spilled anymore of it. He wanted to shoot Iggy just for startling him.“Can’t you knock?” Mickey huffed.“Sorry, didn’t think I needed to.” Iggy shut the door but looked out the blinds, the ones that faced the main road were closed. “You see Noah again?”Mickey nodded and joined him at the front windows. “I’m tired of seeing him so close to here but we can’t do much. I have to watch my ass every time I meet with Ian so he doesn’t suspect anything or find out about his safe space.”“You guys might need to get a new spot, man. You’ve been meeting there all week at the same time. It doesn’t take a genius to put it together. He can see your jeep parked at the lighthouse and knows you’re there. It’s risky.”There was no arguing that, Mickey knew meeting Ian every night was risky, yet he couldn’t stay away. He tried, he really did, but Ian called to him, in a way he couldn’t be held responsible for his actions. But it would be way harder to stay away on purpose. If that was the only way to keep Ian safe, he would do just about anything.“I can tell him we need to meet somewhere else.” Mickey suggested as he took another drink of his beer. “I can also rent a car, maybe under a different name to throw him off. But I can’t stay away from him, Igg. I literally can’t.”Iggy nodded. “Trust me, man, I get it. I really do. But let me ask you this,” he took a second to think about the right words, then rubbed against his face and continued the best way he knew. “Knox and the girls are trying to figure out how to get Ian back to what he calls normal. Right? And I’m good with that. I want Ian to be happy.”Mickey smiled, but it soon depleted as he knew there was more.“What happens if they can make that happen, hmm? If Ian is really a mermaid for life, no legs, free to do what he wants. And you’re stuck here, with us, unable to be with him.”Panic started to arise, even chugging his beer didn’t help.“What the hell are you going to do, Mickey?” Iggy asked seriously, a little emotional, which he didn’t anticipate. “I mean, I want this to work for you guys but what are you supposed to do? I mean, Ian can’t keep coming back up here to see you, not unless Noah is dealt with, once and for all. It’s not safe.”Mickey didn’t need Iggy to tell him how hopeless it was, that they were. He knew damn well what it meant and unbeknownst to Iggy, he’d already made his choice. If Ian wanted to be free, able to live in the sea as a mermaid all the time, then Mickey would join him, if he could, if Sammi found a way for him. He’d do it without even thinking about it.Iggy sighed. “Look, I’m sorry. I don’t want to get into your business, man. But I don’t want to see you get hurt.”“Look, I can understand where you’re coming from, I really do,” Mickey met his eyes and they both smiled in respect for one another, for their love of family. “But what happens with Ian, or doesn’t happen, is my business. I can’t tell you what’s going to happen because I don’t know.”Iggy nodded, head down, eyes to his feet.“I want Ian to be happy, probably more than anyone, and I believe that’s with me.” Mickey glanced back out the door to the ocean, as if he could summon him. “But I will back whatever Ian decides for his future and alter mine to match it. I will do whatever I can to make sure Ian is safe, happy and if he still wants me after this…” he trailed off and saw a look from Iggy he hadn’t seen in a while, pity. He hated it. “I don’t know what’s going to happen. But I will be here for him.”“I know.” Iggy gripped his shoulder. “I just don’t like to be sitting still for this long. Makes my brain wander, thinking of shit that may or may not happen.”Mickey nodded his understanding. “I don’t like sitting here either, but we can’t do shit until we have more information. I can be more careful though, I’ll admit that. I can talk to Ian tonight and see if we can meet at a different spot to make sure Noah doesn’t catch on.”Iggy tossed Mickey a set of keys. “Take my truck, I’ll take the Jeep. Maybe his guys are stupid enough to follow me if I leave.”“Yeah, maybe.” Mickey tossed the keys and dumped his beer bottle in the trash. He glanced out the same window they’d been looking at moments before and once again saw Noah’s truck. “That mother fucker.”“What?” Iggy asked.Mickey pointed as the truck drove by. “He’s still watching us.”“That prick.”This was one of those “last straw” type of times. Mickey grit his teeth, palmed his gun from the back of his shorts and bolted to the door. Iggy failed to keep up with him. He jerked the door open, stormed down to the end of the drive, but the truck was gone.“I’m not doing this anymore.” He snarled.“We can’t just shoot him.” Iggy said, trying to reason.“Why not?” Mickey asked. “All he does is try to hunt Ian down, through me, through us. We can’t even live in peace because of that asshole.”“Mick…”And then it happened again. Mickey turned away from Iggy to see the same truck coming back, yet again, Noah’s truck. Their eyes met in final understanding and Mickey didn’t hesitate this time. He waited, the gun down to his side, hidden by his leg, until the truck came into range, maybe a few feet from the driveway entrance.The truck slowed, as if willing to take a shot, but Mickey got there first. The gun was already in his hand, his mind was already made up. He took a warning shot at the ground in his own property, making sure that if that asshat called the cops he wouldn’t be going to jail for shooting at the ground on his own land. The truck nearly stopped and Mickey could see that it was Noah’s truck, but he wasn’t inside. Just goons he’d never seen before. It stopped right in front of his house.Their eyes met, Mickey’s burning with fire. He waited for them to attempt something, to shoot him maybe, but all they did was stare at him. Trying to look menacing. Mickey didn’t flinch, in fact, he walked towards the truck, but stopped just before he was within arms reach. Then he lifted his arm, pointed the gun and kept a steady grip.“You come around here again, whoever is inside, you or anyone else will catch one of these.” Mickey wiggled the gun just a little. “Maybe tell Wilcox to come around himself if he has the balls.”Iggy was standing in the background, a gun in hand, just hidden behind his leg. He was ready to back Mickey up if shit went sideways.“Now get the fuck outta here.” Mickey pulled back the hammer of the gun, clicking another round into place. He thought for a second they would try something, but they didn’t. They drove off without taking their eyes off him. “This is never going to stop.”“I know.” Iggy replied.“It doesn’t even matter who Noah works for. As long as there is money to be made, he won’t stop.” Mickey put the safety on the gun and held it down at his side. “Maybe I need to disappear with Ian. Just get the fuck away from this place. That way he won’t be able to get to him.”“Him, or some other mermaid, it doesn’t matter. Noah will find one, or the other. We need to stop him.”Iggy finally agreed about getting rid of him, but it took more than a push or a shove. It took actual violence. Like they just saw. And from then on it would only get worse. Until someone was dead, or captured. Someone meaning Ian.“I need Knox and Mandy home now.” Mickey said as he walked quickly back into the house. Iggy followed right on his heels. “I need to know if they can help Ian. If not, I need to get him out of Miami.”Iggy nodded and checked his phone. “Knox said they’d be here in the morning but wouldn’t talk about what happened or what they found, or didn’t find. We just have to wait till morning.”Mickey nodded and walked to the sliding window at the back of his house. It overlooked the deck, the pool and the hot tub in the corner. He didn’t use it much because he was right on the beach but it was fully functional. The sun was setting within a few hours and he’d be able to see Ian.Ian needed some time alone to himself, to sleep, to swim into deeper, safer waters, to eat and just be himself. Mickey understood that, he really did, but it was hard for him to be away. He knew for Ian it was the same when he had to be on land, where Ian couldn’t follow.“I'm seeing Ian tonight. But I have to switch up where we are meeting at. It’s not safe anymore, if it ever was and I’m starting to get even more paranoid.” Mickey eyes the chlorinated pool and got a crazy idea. One he didn’t share with Iggy. “I know you’ve been staying here to make sure I don’t get got, but I need this place empty tonight.”Iggy’s eyebrows narrowed in a silent question.“Don’t ask, cuz I’m not gonna tell you. I just need tonight.”“Yeah, sure. But if anything happens, or if he comes back, you better tell me.” Iggy warned.“I will.” Mickey walked up to him and clasped his offered hand, pulled him into a tight hug and clapped his back. “You keep an eye out too. They already came after Ian, Mandy and me. No telling if you and the other guys are on the same list.”Iggy pulled away. “Don’t worry, Quinn and I will be stayin together, holding down the fort. He won’t come after both of us at the same time.”That would be a stupid move, but Noah wasn’t very smart.“Just be careful, and call me if anything happens.” Mickey waited for Iggy to promise before he left, now he was all alone. He quickly tried to call Mandy, then Knox when she didn’t answer, only he didn’t either. Something was happening, or maybe the news was just bad to say over the phone, either way, it made him want to peel off his skin.With a fresh, cold beer in his hand, Mickey opened the back door and went onto the deck. He looked down at the clean water of the pool and could smell the chlorine. He had a plan, one he didn’t even know would work, but he was going to give it a shot. First step, he needed to empty out the pool.The shed at the side of his house had all he needed to maintain his pool. He jerked open the door, pulled out the long hose and hooked it up to a pump before he tossed one end into the pool while the other he put over the fence into the grassy area. With a flick of a switch he turned it on and the water slowly began to pump into the tube, then out into the grass, draining it.Knowing it would take awhile, Mickey left it and went back inside. His house looked like a fraternity. They’d all be staying at his place, trying to stay close together. There were blankets and pillows spread out, random clothes that he wasn’t sure what belonged to who. He picked them up and tossed them into his clothes hamper, folded all the blankets and stuffed them and the pillows into his hall closet. He straightened up the kitchen, doing a cycle of dirty dishes in the dishwasher, cleaning cabinets and countertops. He looked into the fridge and realized he didn’t have any food left, so he made a list and a plan to run to the market up the street.His bedroom was next. Mickey stripped his bed, clothes along with it and stuffed them all into the washing machine. There was a fresh set in the closet and he made his bed up quickly, vacuumed the floor, did a quick clean of his bathroom, made sure the trash was taken out and there were clean towels. It looked fresh and spotless, as did the rest of his house. It looked like Mandy hired another cleaning lady to do it. And it needed to be done.Before going to the market, Mickey peeked out back to see that the pool was only a quarter of the way drained. It would take awhile. He had time to drive to the market, paying close attention to all cars around him to see if he was being followed. If he was, he couldn’t pinpoint a car right away. At the market, he grabbed a buggy and made his way through the store. He grabbed something specific to make for dinner that night, all the items, veggies and spices he needed for it, grabbed a new case of beer, a rather expensive bottle of wine, not to mention a few normal things he needed around the house. Like toothpaste and toilet paper.Mickey spent over three hundred dollars, something he didn’t even blink at, before he loaded everything up in Iggy’s truck, they traded vehicles to try and throw Noah off, and made a beeline for the house. After bringing everything inside and putting the majority of the items into the fridge for later, he checked the pool again. It was almost empty, save for a few feet of water at the bottom. He waited for it to be completely empty before he pulled the hose and pump out, put them away and grabbed the actual water hose. He sprayed the bottom and sides before it drained into the bottom, then left the hose inside the pool to fill it up with clean, fresh water.It needed to be converted into a saltwater pool. He used a stack of pool grade salt from inside the shed and dumped it into the pool as it filled. It wasn’t as good as the ocean, but Ian needed salt water. Not fresh water or chlorine, but as close to the ocean as he could manage. And he did.The pool filled slowly, and while it did, Mickey got his stuff ready to see Ian. He packed a bag as always with whatever he needed, although it wouldn’t leave Iggy’s truck. No, tonight he had a different plan and hoped to god or whoever was listening, that it would work. If not, he’d just done about six hours of prep for no reason. But there was only one way to tell. To go see Ian and hope he didn’t think he was a few fries short of a Happy Meal.The pool didn’t take long to fill and Mickey made sure to use the long handled net to swirl around the salt, to mix it. By the time he came back, it would be ready. If he came back. He turned off the hose, rolled it up and shoved it into the shed. Inside, he grabbed the tiki torches Mandy bought him last summer and stuffed them into small holes all around the pool, just waiting to be lit.Now, it was time.Mickey nervously locked his house, jumped into Iggy’s truck and kept his eyes peeled as he made his way to the lighthouse. It was beyond dark, he couldn’t even see the ocean, just hear the waves smacking against the wall of land. He parked under the only light, grabbed his Skorkle, fins and goggles, kicked off his shoes and locked everything into the truck. He almost slipped as he made his way down to the water. The darkness became a second part of him, letting his eyes adjust within seconds, he could see his way through, to the water.It was warm, smacking against his calves. The ocean seemed a little angry, hard waves overlapping each other, unrelenting. The wind blew sand around, nearly blinding him. It was as if something was happening, a shift in the ocean, maybe something he didn’t want to find out for himself. Mickey knew Ian would probably have a better idea of what was happening. He lived on those waves, it was his home.Without a second thought, and just to be safe he looked over his shoulder twice, keeping an eye out for any vehicles, he tugged the goggles on, quickly switching on the light, put the Skorkle into his mouth and slowly walked into the harsh waves. It pushed him back, as if a warning to keep away but he didn’t care. He forced his way in and submerged himself, letting the water surround him on all sides. He fought to go down, to get deeper underwater but it wasn’t as easy as before. He has to fight for it. And he did.Within minutes, Mickey swam into the cave, careful of the jagged rocks and hunting sea life swimming on the other side, then worked his way to the top. He breached the water and found himself alone. Ian wasn’t there yet. Mickey climbed out, kicked off his fins, goggles and sat on the edge of the water where it met the sand. And he waited for what seemed like forever, getting worried until a crown of fire appeared in front of him.“Ian.” He smiled and held his hand out. Ian took it and swam between his legs that dangled in the water. “You’re late.”“I’m sorry. It was harder to swim here than I anticipated. Somethings happening.” Ian gripped Mickey’s thighs. “The water is rough.”“Yeah, tell me about it.” Mickey couldn’t stop from staring, even now he felt that pull, that dim feeling that had him wanting to get into the water with him. He was better at it now, but it was still there. “I’m glad you’re okay. I missed you.”Ian smiled and lifted himself up enough for them to share a kiss. “I missed you too.” He looked around, confused. “You didn’t bring a bag? Are you not staying?”Mickey shook his head. “No, but I was going to see if we can do something a little different tonight.” God, he was so nervous. He didn’t want Ian to say no, or worse, thinking he was trying to force him into something. “If not, I have my bag in the truck.”“Something different?” Ian asked, unsure.Knowing how delicate he was, how unsure of everything he was, Mickey slipped into the water alongside him. He pulled Ian close to him, touching him like he had every right, a right Ian awarded him and no other. He circled Ian’s body, pressing them close together, their noses touching. He could see fear in Ian’s eyes.“Never mind.” He conceded with a soft exhale. He smiled because he couldn’t be mad, or upset. “We can be here together.”Ian shook his head. “No, tell me. What is it?”Mickey shook his head. He should have never tried something new. Ian wasn’t used to anything outside their little realm of happiness and safety. Why he thought this…change would be a good thing. He wouldn’t know.“Mickey, what is it?” Ian prodded again.Now he didn’t have a choice. Even if Ian said no, he at least had to tell him. “I just had a surprise for you, but now that I think about it, you probably won’t like it.”Ian’s eyes sparkled. “I love surprises.”Mickey smiled. “I know you do, but this is different. It would be somewhere you’re not used to. Someplace new.”“Like another cave or island?” Ian asked.“No,” Mickey replied. He took a deep breath, feeling anxious, nervous. “I was thinking we could go to my place.”This time Ian’s eyes widened in fear, almost like he was unsure he heard what he said. He looked around and Mickey could see him trying to understand what it meant and how it could be possible. He was afraid and Mickey once again felt like an asshole.“You don’t have to worry, Ian.” Mickey touched his soft cheek, seeing worried green eyes on him. “I should have known not to ask. I’m sorry.”Ian was quiet for a moment before he spoke. Trying to find the words. “Why would you want me to go there? Don’t you like it here?”“I love it here, Ian. I love you.” Mickey assured him and he could tell Ian believed him. Thankfully. “I just thought it would be nice to show you something of mine, my place. Just like you’ve shown me yours. I just wanted to share it with you.”There was silence between them for a number of minutes and Mickey moved away from Ian just a little, swimming back so he could hold onto the side for balance. He didn’t know how this was going to pan out and he really didn’t want Ian to be upset with him. God, he was an idiot.“That makes sense.” Ian said at last and Mickey looked up. “All this time, it’s always been about me. My past, my places, just me.”Mickey stayed quiet. He didn’t want Ian to feel guilty about any of that. He preferred to talk about Ian, to be in Ian’s world. But that meant Ian didn’t know much about him, aside from a few small things and one really big elephant in the room concerning Noah. But that was another conversation for another time and place. If at all.“I’m sorry.”Mickey shook his head and moved closer to Ian. “Please don’t be. I love being with you, Ian. I love all your places, our places. I’m the one who should be sorry.”“Can we go?” Ian asked.The surprise must have showed on his face because Ian let out a soft laugh, and it still sounded like songbirds singing. It kind of put him into a trance. It didn’t last long before he found his way out of it. “Please don’t say that just because you feel bad, or something. I just…I don’t know why I asked. I’m okay with being here.”“Please?” Ian asked again. “I really want to see it.”“But you are scared.” Mickey said point blank and Ian nodded. “Why would you want to if you’re scared?”“Because I love you, and because I want to be a part of your world like you are in mine. I want to see your home, all your treasures. I don’t want it to be all about me. It should be about us.”Ian was such a wonderful, but strange creature. He didn’t think in the same ways as humans, he was pure, he was good. Yes, he might have been scared to think of himself outside the water, away from the safety of his caves, of the oceans, but Ian knew Mickey was all the safety he needed if he was away. Mickey would protect him with all that he had and Ian came to that reassurance very quickly.“I don’t want to force you, Ian. I don’t want you to be afraid.”“I’m always afraid, Mickey. Now the ocean isn’t even safe anymore. Not with other humans trying to kill us. But I do know that we are safer together, anywhere. I want to know about you. I want to see your home.”Mickey couldn’t help the overwhelming feelings inside of him, it built up so much that he had to kiss him. And he did. He pulled him by his entire delicate face and kissed the smile that was already there. He thought he couldn’t love Ian more than he already did, but he was wrong. He loved him more than anything. It didn’t just stop at once kiss, but turned into many and when Ian pushed him against the edge of the bank, rather roughly, Mickey swallowed his groan and let him be as rough as he wanted to be.Ian was strong, he just didn’t know how strong he really was. Mickey did and would happily let Ian push him around to wherever he wanted him. It was almost a turn on. He wasn’t used to being manhandled. But he could get used to it.“Ian..” Mickey moaned and Ian moved to his jaw, then his neck , little nips of his teeth was driving him nuts and making it hard for him to focus. “Please.”“What?” Ian asked but didn’t stop.“This isn’t helping.” Mickey admitted, almost laughing when Ian grunted his disproval and moved away. He already missed the contact. “Are you sure about this, about what I said?”Ian seemed to think for a while before he nodded. “I want to go.”Mickey smiled and forced himself away from Ian and temptation. “I want us to go now, tonight, before your change.” Ian gave that scared look again, unsure. “I have a surprise for you, remember? I wanted to go before your change, and hopefully you’d wanna stay until after.”“But how?” Ian asked, motioning to his tail, swishing back and forth under the water. “We have been so careful to make sure no one would see me. How can I just waltz into your house?”Mickey smoothed over Ian’s cheek, wiping away the salt water but not the blush. Something he found endearing. “I have a plan, but I didn’t want to force you into it.”“You’re not, Mickey, I want to.”He smiled. “Then I just ask you to trust me. Trust that I’ll get you from here to there without incident, without discovery. I will always protect you.”Ian smiled, but underneath he was still a little afraid. “Just be honest with me. Help me.”Mickey pulled away from him, afraid of those concerned looks. He used his arms to jump a little so he was sitting on the edge of the bank, his feet in the water as Ian looked up at him. “First, I need to get my things, and you will follow me back to the lighthouse shore.”Ian looked afraid.“Trust me, baby,” Mickey assured him with absolute confidence. “I would rather die than put you in any danger.”“How?”Mickey smiled. “I have Iggy’s truck instead of my jeep. Just to make sure Noah didn’t keep trying to follow me. But the more we meet here, the more likely he’ll find us.” Ian began to panic, looking around in the cave like Noah would be right there waiting for them. “But I thought I could help you into the jeep and I drive us back. I have a plan.”“Only if you think it’s safe.”“I will make it as safe as I can.” Mickey promised and it prompted a smile from Ian. “It would be just us and I thought it would be nice.”“It is.” Ian moved between his legs, looking up at him. “I’m sorry. It’s just very new to me.”Mickey nodded in understanding. “It’s new for the both of us, but we’ve already done so much, been through so much, that this shouldn’t be a problem. I wouldn’t have asked if I didn’t have a plan.”“Well, I’m ready whenever you think it’s a good time.”Without a second to spare, Mickey leaned down to kiss his lips, unable to help his constant smile. He was just too damn happy to try and hide it. Ian mimicked his looks, his happiness. “It’s only a short ride from here to my place, less than five minutes if you think you can make it outside the water that long.”Ian looked down at the water, his tail moving back and forth. “It won’t be ideal, but I can handle it. But don’t you live closer to the water than we are right now?”It took a second to think about it geographically but he nodded. “Yeah, I suppose it’s closer to the beach by my house than we are now. But I’d still have to carry you up.”“I like that better than the truck, if that’s okay.”“That’s perfect.” Mickey smiled. “I’m about five miles to the west of where we are now, there is a dock for boats, which is where mine will be. You should see it. I’m sure you’ll beat me there but I won’t be far behind. Do you need to look at a map or anything to find it?”Ian shook his head. “No, I can manage. It shouldn’t take too long. I might take longer than you though, just to make sure I’m not being tracked again, or followed.”Fucking Noah.“Yeah, I will probably have to take a few unnecessary turns to make sure as well so we should be there at the same time.” Mickey checked his watch. “It’ll take me about five minutes to get back to the truck and load my stuff before I take off. You wanna get a head start?”“No,” Ian shook his head. “I’m sure swimming is faster and I don’t want to wait too long out in the open. You go ahead and I’ll leave a few minutes after you do. Should give us both enough time to make sure someone isn’t following us.”Mickey grabbed his gear and Ian helped him into the fins as he adjusted the goggles and held the Skorkle in his other hand. He slipped into the water once again to be next to him and Ian didn’t hesitate to cozy up against him. He smiled and pulled him in to kiss his cheek. “Just be careful, and wait for me if you get there first.”Ian nodded. “How will I know it’s you?”Mickey pulled a small flashlight from the pocket of his shorts and handed it to Ian. “I have another one of these in the truck. I’ll flash mine twice to let you know it’s me. Then you flash yours the same and I’ll know it’s you.”Ian looked at the flashlight, eyes squinted, wondering how it worked. Mickey smiled and took it, then showed him the button on the end to turn on, then clicked again to show him how to turn it off. Ian seemed excited as he smiled and took it back.“Just wait for me to flash it, and don’t get too close to shore until you do. I don’t want anything bad to happen to you.” Mickey pulled him in closer to hold him, then kissed his temple. “Just be careful.”“You be careful too, he’s after both of us.” Ian said, then seemed a little nervous as he wanted to ask something else. He hesitated a few seconds but finally got up the courage to ask. “Since we are doing this and you want to show me your life…does that mean we can talk about Noah?”Mickey’s eyes narrowed in question. “Talk about what?”“You know…” Ian said but Mickey didn’t budge so he was forced to bring it up again. “About what Noah said about you and him.”The horror and surprise couldn’t be hidden. Mickey knew that conversation was coming but it was the last thing on his mind at the moment. He should have known Ian was going to ask but he didn’t know what to say, or if he should say what really happened. What if Ian didn’t want to be with him after he found out? And what if Iggy, Knox and Quinn knew? Maybe they wouldn’t understand. Mandy already knew because she was the only one he could tell when it happened but that was different.“Umm..” Mickey shook his head, unable to say one thing or another. He just didn’t know. Or didn’t want to know how Ian would treat him after he knew. “Yeah, we can talk about it but…”Ian leaned in. “But what?”“But I don’t know if you’ll want anything to do with me after.” Mickey said after a few minutes. He was unable to meet those beautiful eyes, afraid of what he’d see, or what he didn’t see. “It’s not good, Ian. What happened back then… there is a reason I hate him. And not just because of what he’s done to you. I hated him before that.”“I could never leave you, Mickey.” Ian assured him. “There is nothing you or anyone could do, to keep us apart. I will always find you.”Tears formed in his eyes and when he smiled and blinked, they fell. Ian was there to wipe them away, cupping his cheek. It was unconditional love for a reason. Mickey just never had that in a partner before. Only his family, but it felt differently. “You say that…”“And I mean it.” Ian took Mickey’s face into his webbed hands, forcing their eyes to meet. “I’m responsible for the murder of my family, Mickey. Because I was selfish. I killed them all.” When Mickey went to argue, Ian shot him down and didn’t let him speak. “It doesn’t matter what you say or what you think. I’m the reason they’re dead. I’m the reason I’m alone and suffering like this. It’s my fault.”“Ian…” Mickey shook his head, crying, and bumped his head with Ian’s.“I’m paying for my sins, Mickey, I have been for a long time and if you can still love me after knowing that, then whatever you have to say about Noah, however awful and wrong it might be, trust me. It won’t make me love you any less. I promise.”There was nothing else to say, or do, but cry. Mickey cried for Ian and his pain, he cried for himself and what he went through with Noah, and Ian cried for the same reasons, for himself, for whatever he had to tell him. They loved each other the same, just as much as the other did and nothing, not a damn thing, could change that. Mickey knew that now, and all he could do was cry.They’d both led awful lives, had bad experiences with horrible people, yet they were lucky enough to find each other. To love one another no matter what.Mickey nodded. “We can talk about it, maybe tonight but I don’t want it to spoil anything.”“How would it spoil it?”“I told you,” Mickey wiped the tears from Ian’s cheeks like his were wiped away. A smile replaced them, even though the sadness. “I have a plan for us tonight and trust me, it would ruin it. But when it’s a good time, I promise to tell you.”Ian accepted that answer with a smile and handed Mickey his breathing device. “A deal's a deal. Go ahead, I don’t want the sun to rise too quickly.”Mickey nodded and kissed him quickly. “Just be careful.”“You too.”Without another word, Mickey put the Skorkle in his mouth, pulled the goggles down and sank into the water. He swam down until he reached the mouth of the cave, looked around to make sure he didn’t see any boats or sharks, then swam up until he was almost at the surface. Then he looked again. No sign of boats, no sign anyone had followed him. So he breached the water without making a nose and looked around. It was dark, but empty. He slowly swam to shore, kicked off his gear and walked to the truck.Mickey ignored the wind against his wet skin and hauled his gear back to the truck. He tossed it into the back , then grabbed the towel he had in the front seat and dried off as best as he could without wasting too much time. He wrapped it around his hips and jumped in, gunning it back to his house. He parked, left everything in the truck aside from his keys, phone and flashlight, and unlocked the door. Now on the back deck which overlooked the ocean, he waited, breath shallow. It didn’t take long, but he saw two flashes of light. Mickey smiled, flashed his twice as well, then took off like a bat out of hell for the beach.It took less than two minutes of constant running before the sand and water hit his feet. But it was quiet, not a break in the water or any sign of Ian. So he waited, flashing his light into the dark water, searching. He didn’t hear anything like a boat or people, just the harsh splash of the waves against the beach. Panic was creeping into his body, he thought maybe Noah had come back, maybe captured Ian once and for all.“Come on, baby.” Mickey turned his light off so the darkness flooded his body. He waited, then flashed it twice. And waited. “I’m here.”And as if the universe heard his please, a single light flashed twice in the water. Mickey grinned and made a dash right for it. He didn’t care about the cold water or the darkness, he followed that flight. Until it went off and he stopped and looked, listened. “Ian?” Mickey called, breathless. “I’m here, Ian. Please.”Then he heard it, a subtle shift of water that wasn’t the waves, but the space where a body would be. Mickey shifted his light to the left and saw Ian’s red hair peeking out of the water. He smiled, let out a breathy sigh that Ian hadn’t been kidnapped or killed, but it faded quickly. Ian was hesitant, afraid.“Someone followed me.” Ian said quickly before his mouth went back below the water.Mickey instantly was on alert and scanned the dark water, his flashlight was unable to go that far into the darkness. A boat could be floating nearby and he’d never be able to tell at that moment. “Noah?”Ian nodded. “I saw the boat, I remember what it looked like.”“Where?”“It was behind me the second I left the cave, as if he knew we were there. It means we can’t go back there again. I lost it about two minutes before I got here.”There wasn’t a boat he could see or hear, but that didn’t mean it wasn’t there. They could have been following them to that cave the entire time. Their lives were a risk. Always.“Shit.” Mickey cursed and wished he had his scope, he’d be able to see into the darkness to find anyone close by with a pulse. “Maybe you should go.”“No, I’m not leaving.” Ian stated. “I told you I lost them but we both know I’m fair game out here. They can’t just barge into your house. It’s not allowed, right?”Mickey shook his head and quickly. “No, they can’t. I can legally shoot anyone who comes into my home without permission. But this isn’t good, Ian.”“It’s not ideal but it’s more protection than I have at the moment.”He couldn’t argue with that. Yes, Ian could dive so deep into the ocean that no one would find him, but that would keep them apart. Ian would always be in danger, but tonight, he might be safer in the home of the human than in the ocean. There was really no choice and the longer they stayed there the easier it would be to find them.“The only way I can get you from here to there is to carry you.” Mickey waded deeper into the water towards Ian. “Is that okay?”Ian nodded. “Yeah, but I’m a little heavy.”Mickey shook his head. The only thing hard about carrying Ian into the house was the length of his tail and his lack of open arms to defend Ian if someone jumped them. “I’m not worried about that.”“Then I’m not either.”Without wasting another second, Mickey tucked the flashlight into his pocket and bent down. He gripped Ian by his small waist, then under his tail where his butt would be and slowly lifted him out of the water. Ian leaned into his body, holding on with an arm around his shoulders and a death grip on his shirt. They looked at each other, shared a look of concern.“Don’t worry, I won’t let anything happen to you.” Mickey promised and did his best to walk slowly without letting Ian’s tail drag against the sand. “Just hold onto me.”“I am.” Ian said as he kissed his neck. “You’re the only one I trust.”With that confidence putting him on the moon, Mickey walked the distance to his house, keeping his eyes peeled. The darkness was dark, so dark he could only see a foot in front of him to keep from tripping on the rocks and brush that led up to his place. He focused on the outside lights of his deck and searched the dark for anyone unwelcome. Thankfully he didn’t see anything.“I’m nervous.” Ian said quietly.Mickey stopped short of the deck, waiting. Ian was about to enter his world for the first time and they were being hunted. It was a lot to ask of someone, even someone you love. “I’m nervous too. But you know I'd never make you do anything you don’t want to. So, I can take you back to the water. I won’t be mad.”“I’m just nervous because this is new.” Ian admitted sadly. “Once we do it, it won’t be new anymore. I won’t have to be scared.”Ian was an amazing creature.“No,” Mickey smiled, full of amazement. “You won’t have to be scared anymore.”They shared a kiss that seemed to seal the deal between them and Mickey continued up the steps to his back deck where his pool was. He stopped and Ian looked around, then down at the pool as well. Red eyebrows lifted in question, asking.“Normally it’s a chlorinated pool, water with chemicals in it, but I emptied it today.” Mickey answered and carefully descended the steps into the cool water. “I cleaned it out and filled it with fresh water, then added something to make it like the ocean. Somewhere you can stay until the change happens.”Ian’s eyes sparkled. “That must have been a lot of work.”Mickey shrugged, then sat down on the steps with Ian in his lap, that long, beautiful tail slipping into the water. “It wasn’t that much. It’s heated, but I only turned it long enough to take some of the chill out so it wouldn’t be freezing.”Around them, all the tiki torches had been lit, the lights Mandy hung around the back of the house and the deck railings were also on, making the entire place twinkle and sparkle. Mickey had his grill set up as well with a cooler full of beer, wine he picked out for Ian if he wanted to try since beer wasn’t for him, but also waters and anything Ian might want. Another cooler held all the meat he’d bought so he could cook outside to be closer to Ian. It was all about Ian tonight.“You did all this?” Ian asked, looking around in amazement.“It wasn’t as much as you think.” Mickey lied, he was trying to be humble. He didn’t want praise from Ian, just for Ian to be comfortable. “Is the water okay?”Without answering, Ian leaned into kiss him, a soft, sweet kiss that said everything he couldn’t say. His eyes sparkled in another way, almost to tears. “This is amazing, Mickey. Thank you.”With a hot blush to his cheeks, Mickey leaned into Ian, feeling his lips once again on his cheek. His arms were still around him, almost hugging him. “I just want you to be comfortable here.”“I’m glad I said yes.” Ian gave his tail a little swish, testing the water. “It’s different from the ocean, but for tonight it will work. I’d dry out in freshwater. This is perfect.”Mickey untangled his arms enough for Ian to slide back and slip into the water. He watched as he swam around, dunking under until all he could see was that glittery blue and purple tail. Ian came back up to the surface smiling, smoothing his hair back. God, he was the most beautiful thing Mickey had ever seen.“I like it.” Ian said as he swam back to Mickey touching one of his legs as it dangled in the water. “I get to be with you.”“I like that too.” Mickey smiled. “I know we have some time before the change, which is why I wanted you to come sooner. I was going to cook something for you.”“You didn’t have to go through all that trouble.” Ian said but couldn’t help his smile. “I’m happy you did because this is just…it’s amazing.”That was a big compliment coming from Ian. Ian’s previous experiences with human things didn’t turn out very well and he was used to rejecting anything that wasn’t what he did in his world. Ian took a chance with him, for him and that made something in his heart sing a little bit louder. Ian was worth going the extra mile.“Well I’m glad you like it.” Mickey got out of the water and moved to the cooler. “I know you didn’t like the taste of beer last time when you tried it, but I bought some wine, it’s a little pricey but that’s because it’s really good and doesn’t taste like you might think. You wanna try some?”Ian scrunched his face. “As long as it doesn’t taste like that other stuff.”Mickey laughed. He grabbed a clean wine glass off the side of the grill where he left it, then opened the bottle and poured him a little before he brought it back over. It was a light pink color and had a name he couldn’t pronounce with any hope of keeping his dignity.“You don’t have to if you don’t like it. I just thought you might wanna try. I’ve got water as well if you’d rather have that.” Mickey handed him the glass and popped the top on his beer. He took a drink and watched Ian smell the glass, but this time his face didn’t scrunch up in a bad way. Soft lips formed on the side of the glass and he took a drink and Mickey was instantly hooked, it was tantalizing. “Bad?”Ian tilted his head after one drink, as if he couldn’t decide, then took another. “It tastes pretty good. Definitely not like that other stuff.”Mickey snorted as he laughed. “Well I’m glad you like it. But just take it easy with that stuff. It’s hard to taste the alcohol but it’s there.”“It’ll take me a while to just drink this much.” Ian wiggled the glass and sat down on the stairs next to Mickey. “You said something about cooking?”“Yup, I got a bunch of stuff because I didn’t really know what you’d eat. I know most of the stuff you eat isn’t cooked at all, but we definitely don’t do that here.” He laughed. “I thought maybe I could cook for you and maybe you’ll like it.”“Cook what?” Ian asked curiously.“Well, I got some steaks, shrimp, even oysters, but I’ll have to figure out how to prepare those.” Mickey smiled as Ian licked his lips. “You eat those too?”Ian nodded. “Easy to catch if you know what you’re doing but it takes a lot to get full. Those things can be fast sometimes.”Mickey smiled. “Well as much as I wouldn’t like to try and catch them, it’s easy to buy them. I was going to try and cook them for you but I’m not sure if you’d like it or not.”“I guess I won’t know until I try.”Mickey stood, making his way to the grill. He turned the burners on low and fished the food out of the other cooler. A row of spices and oil sat to the left of the grill on the side. He oiled up the grill and let it sit for a moment to heat up as he sprinkled a number of spices onto the food. “I really only know one way to cook this stuff but I’d rather try one or two before I cook everything in case you don't like it.”“I don’t want you to think I’m picky or anything. I just haven’t had much of the human foods. It’s hard to say. But I really don’t want you to go through the trouble if I can’t or won’t eat it.” Ian frowned. “I’m sorry.”Mickey turned and already had a smile on his face. “No worries, Ian. I can do a few of everything for you to test and try. If you like it I can cook the rest but if not you can just eat it as you normally do.”“I just don’t want you to go through all the trouble if I’m being difficult.”Without a second, Mickey walked over to Ian, knelt down to pull him into a sweet but demanding kiss that had them both wanting more. They pulled apart and their eyes met. “Ian, I would do anything for you. I’d protect you, hell, I’d even kill for you. So making food that you may or may not eat doesn’t even register to me. I just want you to enjoy your time here with me while we can. Before it becomes harder.”They both knew what that meant. Before Mandy and Knox came back with who knows whatever news. It could be good or bad but it wasn’t something they were looking forward to. It might decide their future and they weren’t really ready to face that, no matter what Knox and Mandy found out. It was a sensitive subject. A mood killer.“You’re too good to me.” Ian admitted in almost a sad, but fond way. “Thank you for doing this, but I don’t want it to be too much trouble. I only want to spend time with you.”Mickey kissed him, taking longer than he should have before he pulled away. “There isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for you, Ian. Cooking, making sure you’re comfortable, that’s the least I can do. I just want us to spend time together.”Ian smiled. “I do too and I’m here to try whatever you have for me.”“Good.” Mickey kissed him again before going back to the grill. He took a drink of his beer, as did Ian with his wine. He also leaned against the stairs of the pool like he hadn’t a care in the world. “I’m gonna do a few of these and we can see how you like it.”It didn’t take long. Mickey worked the grill like a master, only doing a few of the shrimp and the oysters in a pot that would steam them the way google said it needed to be. Ian swam around the pool, pausing to take sips of his wine, to ask how it was going, always so curious. Mickey couldn’t get rid of his smile, or his happiness. Just having Ian around, not just because it was on land, but even in the water. He was just happy to be around him, to be a part of his life. To bring him happiness. Mickey grabbed a beer or two, drinking slowly while cooking, as Ian did with his fancy wine, swimming about in a happy way. He was just so damn happy, Mickey felt like he was walking on cloud nine.“It smells good.” Ian admitted with a smile. He was perched on his elbows on the side of the pool, just watching. “You must be a good cook.”Mickey shook his head and took the shrimp and steak off the grill and put it onto a big plate. He took the steamed oysters and also set them aside, ready to plate with salt and lemon juice and everything he read about. “I’m probably not. And you might think I’m awful if you don’t like these but at least we can try it.”He cut the steak into a few pieces, the shrimp, juicy and sizzling, along with the steamed oysters sautéed in lemon juice and wine, he put into a plate just for Ian. It looked restaurant style, but probably didn’t taste the same. He grabbed his beer and the plate with the opened bottle of wine and met Ian at the entrance of the pool. He set it down on the edge before he slipped his feet in, grabbed the plate and a fork and met Ian’s eyes.“Please, if you don’t like these, don’t be afraid to tell me.” Mickey showed Ian the plate and his own stomach grumbled in hunger. “I’m just not sure how else to cook it.”Ian smiled and came to sit on the stairs of the pool. He set his near empty wine glass down and eyed the food. It smelled amazing and his stomach grumbled. “It smells fantastic, Mickey.”Mickey used the fork he had and gathered a little bit of food and brought it up for Ian to eat. Literally feeding him. “Just do a little at a time so it doesn’t mess with your stomach.”Ian nodded and leaned forward to take the bite, wrapping his lips around the fork as he cleared it. Mickey watched, so worried he wouldn’t like it until Ian moaned softly, green eyes closing. Mickey was so mesmerized by the act that he missed that Ian groaned in approval. He liked it.“Wow, that’s amazing.” Ian said as his eyes eagerly wandered the plate. “It really is.”With a smile, Mickey handed Ian the plate and the fork and sat there and watched happily as he forked down every single piece. All the steak, shrimp and oysters. Mickey didn’t even know if he cooked it right but it didn’t matter, Ian ate that up like he was starving and Mickey got a good dose of pride. He drank his beer and watched with eager eyes, like Ian was starving. He couldn’t get enough and the plate was empty before Ian became full.“Well, I guess that means I can cook the rest.” Mickey laughed as he took the empty plate. Ian looked almost embarrassed but happy. “I’m glad you liked it. I have more to cook, I don’t want you to get hungry here.”“What about you?” Ian asked, looking for his plate. “You should eat too.”“I will,” Mickey promised as he made his way back to the grill to cook the rest of the food. “I’m just happy you like it. I don’t mind waiting, and I plan to cook all of the food I bought.”Ian sighed happily, his head resting on the edge of the pool as his tail swished back and forth in the water. “I wish you could see how good you are to me. I feel like I should do more for you. To show you how much I care about you.”Mickey stopped what he was doing, setting the spatula side to meet Ian’s worried eyes. “Baby, you have shown me more love than just about anyone else I know. You don’t even need to try. I feel it everyday, every second we are together. I’m just trying to show you.”“It’s hard to care about someone the way I do, and be unable to show them in the normal sense.” Ian admitted sadly. “Our worlds are different but I know we agree on how to show each other. I’m just not used to loving someone without an alternative motive connected to it.”Without a doubt, Mickey understood completely. Danny, whoever that asshole witch guy was, used Ian and his love and twisted it into something awful. Of course Ian would be worried about doing it again, so he was careful, cautious. He couldn’t enjoy anything human like without thinking of the worst time in his life. Using him. Mistreating him.Mickey abandoned his beer and the cooking food to kneel down, lifted Ian’s chin with a finger so their eyes met. Ian was sad, lost in the past. “Ian, I’m sorry for what happened to you. I can’t imagine how bad it was to think someone cared about you, but didn’t show you. I’m sorry that you can’t trust anyone now.” Mickey took Ian’s hand and kissed it, then put it to his cheek, relishing in his touch. “I would do anything to be with you all the time, Ian. I can’t even tell you…” he sighed sadly, wishing he had a tail and not legs.“I trust you, Mickey.” Ian rose up to cup his face, smoothing over soft skin. “You’re the only person I can be myself around. Where I don’t have to worry about my safety or you using me for something else. “I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t.”“I just know it must be hard.” He waited until Ian nodded. “But you never have to worry about that again. It doesn’t matter. I will always be here for you. I will always protect you. I promise.”Ian smiled sadly. “I know, Mickey. You’re the best human I’ve ever met and I don’t know how to repay you for what you’ve given me, for what you’ve shown me.” He rubbed his face against Mickey’s rough palm, taking comfort from the rough but soft skin. “I love you so much.”Mickey smiled and felt those same tears come to his eyes. “I’m sorry, Ian. I know it was bad for you, but I love you. I’ll only be what you need me to be, what you want from me.”They kissed and Mickey almost fell in the pool. They had a little laugh beyond the tears before they kissed again. And again until they were both panting, eager for the next step. They looked into each other's eyes as the food sizzled in the background. They didn’t care one little bit. Just what they saw in each other and what they understood.“I don’t want to think about how bad it’s been for us both. We’ve already lived it and we are still here, trying to make it better.” Ian kissed him through his tears. “I want to be here with you, cooking food and laughing and being like any other couple.”Mickey couldn’t stop the tears.“I know you went through something bad, Mickey. With Noah…” Ian waited for Mickey to nod, and to him it was an embarrassment. He didn’t linger. “I don’t know what happened, I wish you’d tell me but I won’t push for that. But I know whatever I was, wasn’t your fault, just like it wasn’t my fault. People just take advantage of kind people, Mickey. Like you and me.”“Ian…” Mickey whispered but he hiccuped when another round of tears appeared.“I will wait for you to tell me, whenever you’re ready but I already know whatever happened wasn’t your fault.” Ian hugged him tightly. “I know you’re an amazing human, kind and trustworthy and I know you love me. Whatever happened to you doesn’t change how I feel about you.”Mickey tried to push him away but Ian was so strong he wouldn’t budge. “You don’t know what he did.”Ian gripped his chin in a firm hold and their eyes met. Bluey blue eyes to green. “Mickey, it doesn’t matter what he did, just as Danny doesn’t matter. Those people aren’t worth what we have to give.”Mickey nodded, agreeing but he couldn’t help but feel the shame. “But what if it made you see me differently?”“I won’t.” Ian promised. “I love you, Mickey. And it doesn’t matter what happened. That won’t change.”Mickey kissed him, crying, unable to help himself. It was quick but complete. “Maybe one day we can talk about it.” He stood and moved the food from the grill and once again came back to Ian. To feed him. He lifted the fork and offered him everything he had. “You’re what’s important. How you see me. That’s all I care about.”When Ian finished eating, his belly full, he could finally reply. “And that’s all I care about. I know you’re hiding something for a reason. Something about Noah. But it really doesn’t matter to me. I want to know. But it won’t change how I feel about you. Just as what happened to me won’t keep you from loving me.”They had almost equally bad life experiences, full of lies and false love, that kept them from trusting anyone fully. It kept their guard up, questioning everything that came their way. It was unavoidable. They just had to overcome their past to see their future.“I will tell you, Ian, but I’d rather not do it tonight.” Mickey wiped away his tears, got up to get a beer and brought the wine bottle to Ian. He refilled his glass. “I want tonight to be about you. About us. I don’t want him to get in the way.”Ian took a long drink of his wine and set it on the side of the pool before he swam up to Mickey who was sitting on the stairs. “Until we talk about the men who hurt us, they will always get in the way. But I agree, I’d rather not do it tonight. I just want it to be us.”Mickey set his beer down, shrugged off his shirt and slipped into the water next to Ian who came to him like a curious octopus. Arms all over the place, that magnificent tail curling around him. “It’s always going to be us, Ian. Always. I know about what happened to you and I love you, and you might not know what happened to me but you love me anyway.”Ian nodded, circling his arms around Mickey’s neck. “Then we really shouldn’t have to worry about telling our secrets, our past. But telling you what happened to me….” Ian shook his head, remembering when he almost lost Mickey for his foolish actions. “Knowing they died because of me almost ruined me. I almost lost you. But I know that eventually it won’t hurt so much.”“I know telling you will help me one day.” Mickey admitted freely. “And I will tell you, but not tonight.” He kissed him, relishing in the feeling of Ian cupping his face, touching him. “I want to cook for you tonight. I want to talk about everything besides that, I want to show you my home when your change happens, I want to put you on my bed and kiss every inch of you.”Ian gave a breathless sigh, bumping their heads together.“I want to sleep with you until the change happens again and see you swim in the sunlight.” Mickey continued, his hands rubbing up and down Ian’s smooth back. “We’ve wasted enough time with bad people like that to last a lifetime. I just want to be with you.”“You had me the first second our eyes met, Mickey.” Ian blinked and a tear slipped down his cheek. Mickey was there to wipe it away. “Let’s forget them and just be us.”Mickey kissed him so passionately they almost went underwater. They shared a laugh as Ian gripped him harder to hold on, then began again. The kissing got more intense, they were unable to keep their moans of pleasure in. His hands moved all over Ian’s body, touching every available inch of skin, then scales, causing Ian to moan deeply into his kiss. Ian touched him just as eagerly, even going so far to toy with the tie on his shorts, teasing him by not going inside, and not backing down.It was almost too much. Mickey had to pull back, forcing Ian to move to his neck, those hot kisses burning him down to the bone. He allowed it for a moment and tipped his head back, but when Ian’s teeth scraped against his skin, he pulled him away. Panting. “Ian.”“Hmm?” Ian asked, just as breathless.“You don’t know how bad I want to continue this.” Mickey admitted, he saw the fire burning in Ian’s eyes. “But that needs to come later when we can.”“After the change.” Ian agreed, still flustered. “Right now we just need to not be touching.”Mickey laughed and let Ian move away from him. He went under the water and swam around, like he was trying to lose the need. He helped but climbing out of the water, grabbed a towel and his beer and moved towards the grill. He started the burners, used a little oil and got the meat set up next to him.“Okay, I’m gonna cook the rest of this stuff for us since you liked it.” Mickey looked back to see Ian eating the rest of the food off the plate. He smiled. Ian looked a little guilty for eating it all, but Mickey didn’t mind. “You need more to drink?”Ian finished the rest in his glass and nodded. “This stuff is really good.”Mickey waited to lay the rest of the meat on the grill before he brought the wine bottle to Ian in the pool and poured him a little more. It earned him a kiss and a smile. “I’m glad you like it. It’s pretty easy to cook, although the oysters are a little tricky because this is my first time.”“Mine too with them being cooked, and I think they’re perfect.”With the food sizzling, he grabbed another beer at the same time his cell phone rang. Mickey set the beer down, turned the shrimp and answered the call. It was Knox. Anxiety creeped into his body and he knew Ian could see it. There was no hiding. “Hey, man. What’s up?”“Hey, Mick. I just want to let you know that the layover got delayed. Some storm over here or something. I’m not sure how long it’ll be, they’re saying a few hours or canceled until tomorrow if the weather doesn’t cooperate.”Mickey groaned. He’d been expecting them the next morning with whatever information they found out about Ian. They’d both really wanted to know one way or another what they found out. Now they’d have to wait longer.“Damn. I was hoping to see you guys first thing.”Knox groaned. “Me too, man. I really don’t like waiting at the damn airport all night but we really don’t have a choice here.”Mickey looked at Ian who was now sitting on the edge of the pool, tail in the water, eyebrows drawn in question. “Can you tell me anything over the phone?”Knox sighed. “I’d rather not. We found some shit out but it’s really heavy, man. Mandy and I agreed to tell you first, alone, without Ian.”He was suddenly on guard. “Why?”“Because it’s something you need to hear first before you tell Ian. Mandy told me what you said, about changing to be with Ian if you could.”Mickey cursed. “That asshole was supposed to keep her trap shut.”“Well after she found out what we came here for, she told me. Just me though, not Sammi. And I haven’t told her either. It’s better for you to hear it alone before you tell him. It’s not what we thought, it’s complicated.”This entire conversation was complicated. It sounded more bad than good. And he didn’t want to come to Ian without a sure thing, or some bad news about not being able to help him.“When you get on that plane your ass better fucking call me.” Mickey cursed. He burned a piece of shrimp and quickly put the rest on a plate before he burned them as well. “You got it?”“I got it.” Knox huffed, tired, annoyed. “But check your damn attitude. I’ve been all over the stupid jungle with these girls and I’m fucking tired.”Mickey cursed.“And I’m not your errand boy.” Knox hung up without saying goodbye.”Mickey cursed again and set his phone back to the side. He took all the food off the grill before he turned the burners and propane off, then turned to see Ian watching him. Waiting. He’d heard everything with that freaky supernatural hearing.“Is it that bad?” Ian asked.“I really don’t know.” Mickey said honestly. “Whatever it is, he doesn’t want to say over the phone.”“Or in front of me.” Ian stated.So far Ian hadn’t said he heard about the “him becoming a mermaid part” or he’d have said so. Maybe the sizzle of the grill made it harder to hear. For which he was happy. He didn’t want Ian to feel bad about him choosing one or the other. There was never a choice. Whatever Ian wanted to do, be a mermaid all the time, or become human, Mickey would do. He didn’t care. He just wanted to be with Ian.“There is a reason for it.” Mickey promised. “Maybe it’s hard to understand or there’s an issue.”“Or there is no hope for me.”“Or that.” Mickey said sadly. He walked to Ian and sat down next to him. “But that doesn’t matter right now. We don’t know what they found, or didn’t find. I can’t get my hopes up or down right now. I can deal with whatever comes, as it comes.”“I shouldn’t pin my hopes on this.” Ian said and looked away, out to see the ocean. “I’ve had a decent life, I suppose. It could be worse. But it’s been amazing since I’ve known you.”Mickey smiled.“If they didn’t find anything, I don’t care.”With a surprised look, Mickey turned Ian’s head to study his eyes, looking for a lie and couldn’t find one. “Ian…”“I mean it, Mickey.” Ian touched his hand in comfort. “I get to spend my days in the ocean and my nights with you. Just like you. It could be worse.”Mickey shook his head. “How?”“If the curse was lifted, I wouldn’t be able to be with you in certain ways.” Ian touched his tail. “I’d be stuck like this, unable to do the things we have done, the things we can do together.”“You know I don’t care about that, Ian.”“Well I do.” Ian looked at him. “I like what we do, how it makes us feel. I don’t want to lose that.”Mickey took his face in his hands, forcing their eyes to meet. “Ian, we already went over this. We love each other no matter what. We were ready to be together like we are now way before we knew about a potential cure. I’m here for you, all of you in whatever way I can be.”Ian started to cry. “All I ever wanted was to be free of this. But now…” he shook his head. “Now I think maybe this is the only way we can be together.”There was no use getting into this now. They didn’t have all the information yet and it was all just speculation. Wasted time and energy when they didn’t have all the facts.“If we want to be together, we will be. No matter what.” Mickey kissed him, tasting tears and despair. “Love can’t be forgotten because of everything around us. I promise.”“I wish it were easier.”“I do too.” Mickey kissed him. “We can’t do anything about that right now. Not until they get here tomorrow. We need to stay here, together right where we are. Okay?”Ian nodded. “So, what now? Food?”Mickey laughed. “Yes, food, wine and beer.” He stood and made them each a plate, grabbed the cooler of beer and the wine bottle and came back to sit with Ian at the pool. “Just this. Just us for right now.”They ate, but not in silence. They started off slow, simple smiles and laughs. Eating, drinking, talking. Laughing. Mickey laughed so hard he almost choked on a shrimp and Ian convinced him to true an oyster for the first time. It was slimy and weird but Mickey couldn’t deny it tasted pretty good.All in all, despite the emotional talks as a setback, they had an amazing time together. They ate, drank, laughed and swam until Mickey became a little buzzed. Ian as well. Which is why when Ian asked for more wine, Mickey didn’t give it to him. He didn’t want Ian to end up hungover in the morning. Mickey had a few more beers after that and soon they stopped laughing, no smiles, but other looks. Heated looks. Swimming became something of a game, chasing each other, trying not to touch, to look too closely.Sexual tension was building. It became harder and harder not to touch, to let one kiss morph into dozens. To touch and feel and love until they couldn’t handle it anymore. Mickey felt those lingering touches, burning eyes and the increasing need to touch Ian. It couldn’t last much longer or they’d both give in.“Ian…” Mickey groaned and his head tipped back, eyes closed, trying to fight it.“I know.” Ian replied and swam up to him. He didn’t hesitate to wrap around him, bringing him close. “But I don’t think I can wait anymore. I need you.”Mickey pulled him harshly against his body, making Ian gasp. His hands went to his tail, almost where his butt would be when he had legs. He held him, wanting so badly to push against him. “How long till the change?”Ian looked up at the moon. He didn’t have to, he could feel it but looked regardless. “Maybe twenty minutes.”“Good.” Mickey pulled away a little and met Ian’s uncertain eyes. “If you wanna do this, tonight can be a little different.”“How?”“We aren’t in a cave right now, no sand. But inside I have a bed.” Mickey felt like a creep for even saying it. Like he planned if, but he didn’t. It just happened that way for them. “I want to make sure everything is ready if you want to…” he couldn’t say the words. But his eyes said everything.“Trust me, Mickey. I want to.” Ian’s eyes roamed Mickey’s body. Hungry. “It’s not right to assume that we will, but I want to assume because I want it. I want you. Everyday.”Mickey smiled. Happy he didn’t come off as a sex crazed creep. The fact that Ian wanted it too set his mind at ease. “I want you all the time, Ian.”Ian smiled. “Good, then we won’t have a problem.”Heat flashed across his body, his face especially making it a nice shade of pink. He wasn’t embarrassed, just lustful, ready for what would happen. Ian was too. “I feel weird just talking about it.”Ian shrugged. “We normally don’t need to talk about it, or if we do, we are already doing it.”Mickey blushed harder and Ian just grinned. “I don’t want this time to be all crazy fast or I'd come right back to you.” They weren’t far apart, but they weren’t touching either. “We can take our time, do whatever we want at our own pace.”“I like the sound of that.” Ian admitted, eyes roaming over Ian’s body. “And since it’s a little hard to talk about while we aren’t actually doing it, should I ask? Or just wait and see?”This time Mickey pushed forward a little in the water and Ian’s arms instantly went around his neck. “We sort of know our way around each other I think. But we usually always ask who’s doing what.”Ian nodded. “And did you have a plan tonight? Like something in your mind that you wanted to do.”Mickey smiled. He did indeed, but again, he didn’t know how far Ian would want to go with the sex thing. So far they hadn’t actually had intercourse yet, just getting each other off and exploring all the ways Ian wasn’t familiar with. It was all an experiment. And it worked for them. They were getting to know each other and themselves.“I might have a few specific things I’d like to do.” He smiled when Ian’s eyes widened. “But the rest we can talk about and explore as we go.”Ian glanced up again. “We have about five minutes left.”“I need to get out and try to dry off. I can bring you a towel or some clothes if you like.” Mickey brough Ian to the stairs with him until he sat him down.“I didn’t like clothes the first time.” Ian shook his head. “They’re scratchy and make me feel heavy. Is that okay if I don’t wear anything?”Mickey smiled but underneath he was picturing Ian walking around his house butt naked. He shifted his shorts so he didn’t poke Ian with how hard he was. “Of course I don’t mind. It’s just going to be distracting.”“Maybe you shouldn’t wear any either then.” Ian offered with his own smile. “Saves us a little time.”“Fuck.” Mickey laughed a nervous laugh and shook his head. “I’m gonna keep mine on until it comes to that. That way I can show you around a little and we don’t have to rush right into it.”“Good.” Ian kissed him and moved over a little. “Go ahead and dry off. It’ll only be a few minutes until the change.”Mickey didn’t think twice about how fast he moved. He kissed Ian, jumped out of the pool and grabbed a towel that hung on the back of a chair next to the pool. He toweled off the best he could and wrapped it around his hips. When he looked at Ian, Ian was already staring at him, mouth open a little like he was in a trance. Mickey did something stupid like turn around but of course there wasn’t anyone there. He did get a glimpse of himself and yes, he stared a little too. He saw his normal reflection, his usual body shape. The only difference this time was that he was shirtless with water dripping down his wet hair. That water moved slowly down his body, moving over muscles and dips and curves he wished he didn’t have. The towel around his hips was low, revealing the small v shape of them.Yes, he was kinda sexy.But not the way Ian was. Ian was something else, a different kind of beautiful. Mickey couldn’t compare himself to Ian, or anyone else for that matter.“It’s starting.”Mickey snapped out of his thoughts and headed towards the pool. He sat at the top and Ian moved to sit on the step between his legs so he could lean back. Mickey wrapped his arms around Ian’s body, wishing he could protect him from all of this. “Don’t worry. I got you.”Ian nodded, grunting a few times, hiding his face in one of Mickey’s arms. He didn’t say anything, just tried to hide his pain.“Just breathe.” Mickey reminded Ian when his body started to shake. Ian listened and took a few shallow breaths. A groan escaped before he hid again. “It’s almost over.”Blue and purple scales fluttered, slowly replaced by skin. It started from his waist, then flowed down as the water lapped against his fins. It never took but a minute or two, yet it seemed to last an hour. If not for Ian’s groans of protest, he wouldn’t even see the change happen. It just did, exactly like magic. Then Ian was human again.“It never gets any easier.” Ian sighed against Mickey, his eyes closing.Mickey kissed his head, his hands slowly sliding up and down Ian’s arms, then his shoulders. “I wish it would be easier for you.”“Me too.” Ian admitted. “But it’s always easier when you’re with me. It seems to hurt less when you hold me.”“I’m glad.”Mickey held him until Ian was ready to move. They sat there for at least fifteen minutes, Ian was still naked but Mickey didn’t look. He looked out at the ocean. At the waves even when he couldn’t see them, but he could hear the crashing against the banks, the other waves.“I think I’m okay now.” Ian said softly.Mickey pulled back to kiss his lips when Ian looked back at him. He kept it short and sweet. “Would you like to walk around, or I can carry you.”Ian looked up, the wind started to pick up. “I think it might storm soon. We might need to go inside.”The wind was a little stronger now. It blew the tiki torches out in an instant. “Maybe we can go inside? I have to come back out here and clean up so it doesn’t make a mess out of the deck if it does storm.”“Can you help me try to walk?” Ian asked. “I don’t want you to have to carry me again. I should be able to get around by myself.”“Ian, it helps to have legs for more than a few hours a night. It’s hard to walk if you don’t have time to use them.”“Well, I need to then. I can’t have you carrying me around.”Mickey smiled. Ian was so damn cute. “I would carry you anywhere, Ian. We both know that.”Ian smiled as well and offered his hand to Mickey. “Wanna help me up?”With a nod, Mickey stood up, quickly adjusted his towel and took Ian’s hand. His other went to Ian’s other arm so he could hold him if or when his legs didn’t support it. It was slow going, Ian lifted himself out of the water with help, but it seemed to take awhile. His legs were shaky, wobbly almost but he stood on the top stair, overlooking him.“I always forget how tall you are.” Mickey was looking up now, Ian was nearly a whole head taller than him. He also had to keep himself from ogling Ian’s very naked, beautiful body. “Just beautiful.”Ian blushed, his cheeks turning red as he smiled. “It’s hard to forget when you’re not up on your feet.”“Let’s get you inside, hmm?” He asked and motioned Ian forward, mindful of his feet. “You gonna be okay?”“I’m gonna go as far as I can.” Ian admitted. “Just walked with me.”Being as slow and careful as they could, Mickey was able to get Ian into the house, and to the couch without him falling. He helped Ian sit down on the couch, then offered him a blanket to cover himself. Ian took it, just because but that smile never left his face“You okay here for a second?” Mickey asked. He could hear the strong winds outside, strong enough to move chairs, and what’s left of their dinner. “I just need to go clean up outside before that shit ends up all over the place.”“Yeah I’m okay.” Ian snuggled under the blanket. Mickey, I’m fine. I can help you.”“No,” Mickey said and shook his head. “You should relax. It won’t take me long to clean this stuff up. Just have make sure you’re okay and I can clean it up later.”This time Ian shook his head. “We can do it together and save time, right?”Mickey shook his head.“I’ll be okay.” Ian promised. “Go ahead.”It didn’t take five minutes to get all the plates and utensils inside, turn the lights off and gather his clothes, shoes and his towels. He tossed them into the corner of the house, not caring what happened to it at the moment. He turned off the back deck lights so it was dark. Mickey came inside, locked the back sliding door.Mickey took the dishes they used into the kitchen, he dumped them in the sink and forgot them as soon as he turned around. Ian was watching him, those green eyes staring at him in a way that no one else has. He couldn’t help but smile. “How are you feeling?”Ian shrugged. “You have any more of that stuff?”Mickey knew Ian was talking about the wine and went back outside to grab it and a six pack of beer from the cooler. He shut and locked the door, then moved to Ian and poured him a fresh glass. Ian was nervous. Just as he was.“You have a very nice home.” Ian said at last, looking around the clean, homey space.Mickey smiled, doing his best to keep his eyes focused on Ian’s and not his body. He was still naked as he sat on the couch and he didn’t seem to mind, or to notice realty. But Mickey did, lord, did he notice. It was almost impossible not to stare.“Thank you. I’m not here often, I mostly just work as much as I can but it’s nice to come home once in a while.” Mickey took a drink of his beer, downing half of it in one drink. “Can I get you anything?”Ian shook his head and moved a little closer to him. “Maybe a kiss.”“Oh, I can do that.” Mickey said all too quickly and wrapped his arm around Ian, pulling him against his side. Ian was tall, but still smaller than he was, delicate, fragile even. He had to tip his head up a little now for a kiss and Ian leaned down and met him in the middle.Ian tasted like sweet wine, forcing him to go after another kiss, then another. When Ian moaned, Mickey copied the sound and his other hand went to Ian’s jaw, deepening it. Ian’s hand went to his chest, turning so they could kiss even deeper. He forgot how strong Ian was because seconds later, Mickey was almost pinned to the couch with Ian halfway on top of him.“Ian.” Mickey moaned between kisses but Ian just kept going, like he couldn’t get enough. Ian was one step away from straddling his lap and Mickey could feel how hard he was as he pressed against his leg. “Ian.”“Hmm?” Ian hummed as he moved back a little. “What’s wrong?”“Nothing.” Mickey smiled and looked down at their current position, their bodies a tangled mess. Ian looked as well and blushed. “You’re amazing.”“I think you are.” Ian let the hand okay Mickey’s chest move down, admiring his soft skin. “Look at you.”“I’m too busy looking at you.” Mickey leaned in to kiss Ian’s jaw, then over to his ear. He ran his tongue up the length of it and Ian literally shuddered against him. “I want you.”Ian nodded quickly. “You have me.”“Come on.” Mickey moved away to stand up, eyes now roaming Ian’s body freely now, his mouth was watering the further down he got. “I want you on my bed.”Ian took the offered hand and fell forward enough for Mickey to catch him with his own body. His grip was firm, but soft in a way. “Sorry, it’s just hard to move sometimes.”Without thinking, or asking, Mickey leaned down a little and picked Ian up in his arms, his long legs dangling over one arm. Ian gripped his shoulders, surprised. Mickey gave a little smile and walked through the living room, past the kitchen and towards his room. Ian started to kiss him halfway there, first his mouth, then his jaw, his neck, then up to his ears. Mickey kept a firm grip and eventually made it to the bedroom.Inside was dark, but the large windows on the other side of the bed were opened, the curtains pulled back so the moonlight could shine through. It illuminated the bed, making it almost glow. Mickey lowered Ian down to the bed, forcing Ian to stop kissing him. Then he just looked at him. From the moonlight, Mickey could see everything. Every inch of glowing skin, every freckle precisely placed on his shoulders.“You seem so unreal.” Mickey whispered, his eyes eagerly watching. “So beautiful.”Ian blushed, he covered himself, or tried but he was sitting on the blanket and it didn’t move very much. “Mickey…”“I’m serious.” Mickey yanked the towel off his hips, leaving him in just his damp shorts. He was sure Ian could see how hard he was, he was right at eye level. “Could you lean back?” He asked and Ian tilted his head. “I just want to look at you for a second.”It took a few seconds and Mickey almost regretted asking, but eventually Ian scooted back a little, his strong shoulders shifting as he moved, arms bulging. It made Mickey lick his lips, eager to put his mouth all over him. Every place on his body. When he was laying all the way back, Mickey approached the bed slowly, almost stalking him.“Fuck, Ian.” Mickey groaned and put two hands on the bed, on either side of Ian’s body. The bed shifted and Ian looked at him with eager eyes. “I don’t think I’ve ever wanted something, someone so badly before.”“I want you, too, Mickey.” Ian wrapped his hand around one of Mickey’s wrists. “Take your shorts off. I want to see you as well.”Mickey couldn’t argue with that. He pulled the tie and let them fall to the ground. He was just as naked as Ian was, and standing at full attention. “Tell me what you want, Ian.”“Touch me.” Ian begged, his hands gripped the blanket under him, constantly gripping and releasing so he didn’t reach up to grab him. “Please.”Without another word, Mickey assumed his last position of towering over Ian. He bent further down to kiss along his legs, his thighs, soft, wet kisses as his tongue tasted his skin. Ian moaned, his back arching a little before he settled. Mickey was kneeling on the floor, now he had to stand a little to keep going higher. Any higher and Ian’s cock would push against his face.“Mickey…” Ian gripped his dark hair, pulling a little. “I want you.”Mickey nuzzled him just a little and Ian’s hips bucked. He looked up just to watch him as he did it, as he licked a fat stripe up to the top of his cock. Ian’s mouth opened as he groaned deeply, green eyes closed, whispering something he couldn’t make out. He kept doing it, lick after lick, slowly teasing him until Ian pulled his hair roughly. He smiled and looked up.“More?”Ian nodded quickly. “I might die if you don’t touch me.”“I am touching you.” Mickey said before he took Ian down all the way into his mouth.“God!” Ian moaned, his head pushed into the blankets, eyes closed while he painted. “It feels so good.”Mickey didn’t stop for a few minutes. He sucked him until his jaw hurt, until he almost gagged on Ian’s size, until Ian took control and started thrusting into his mouth. His eyes watered and his mouth was wet, dripping down his chin. But he stopped just before Ian let go. Mickey pulled back, giving one last teasing slide of his tongue before he wiped his mouth, breathing heavily and watched Ian writhe on the bed.“I was almost there.” Ian begged. “You’re so good at that.”Grinning, Mickey kisses around Ian’s hips, then up to his belly. Ian was guiding him, pulling him little by little. “I want to do other things besides that.”“Then we need to do them.” Ian smiled. “I love the way our bodies feel together like this.”Although Ian was taller, their bodies were lined up as much as possible, so much so that when he moved a little, they rubbed together, hardness against hardness. Moaning, Ian pulled him all the way up until they kissed. Mickey moved off to the side a little, forcing Ian to turn as well until they were side by side, touching and pulling at each other. The kissing never stopped, it got needy in a way it hadn’t been yet, passionate, eager for more.Mickey pushed a hand down and gripped them both. They moaned at the same time, heads resting together as they breathed harshly . He jerked them slowly, their hips rocking. “I want to do something tonight.” He said between groans. He smiled when Ian nodded without knowing what it was. “I didn’t even tell you yet.”“I don’t care.” Ian kissed him again and bit Mickey’s bottom lip. “I just want you.”“You’re gonna get me.” Mickey promised before he rolled Ian over on his back once again. Ian looked confused. “Remember how I touched you with my fingers?” He asked as one hand rubbed over the side of Ian’s ass. Green eyes nodded, quickly remembering when he fingered him until he came. “Okay, now remember when I said sometimes people use their mouths…”“Oh, God.” Ian whined, his legs shaking. “Are you sure?”Mickey nodded. He moved one of Ian’s legs up and over so he could look at him. With gentle hands, he touched his ass, softly rubbing against his hole until Ian gasped. “If you don’t like it, I can stop. But I’m pretty sure you’re going to love it.”Ian nodded, a little unsure. “Do I need to do anything?”“It’ll be easier for me to get to you if you turn a little,” Mickey guided Ian slowly, he was half on his side and half on his stomach. He then pushed one of Ian’s legs further over until he had total access. Just the sight of Ian like that made him groan. “God, you look so good.”Ian hid his face in the bed. “Feels kinda weird since I can’t see you.”“Trust me, baby.” Mickey smiled, his hand gripped Ian’s ass, spreading him. “You won’t think it’s weird in a second. Just let me know if you want me to stop.”“If it feels anything like before, I won’t ever want you to stop.”Mickey leaned down and kissed over Ian’s ass, he gave soft bites, long licks of his tongue. He didn’t touch his hole yet, but teased him. Ian gasped, wiggling. He took his time, rubbed up his back, around his sides, his legs. Just touching Ian was making him harder by the second.“Mickey, please.”Without giving Ian a warning, Mickey licked across his hole. Ian gasped sharply and he could feel his legs shaking. “Hmm?” He asked before he did it again, only this time he swirled his tongue a few times.“Mickey, please.” Ian begged.“You like it?” Mickey asked, stopping just to make sure.Ian nodded quickly, looking back. “Don’t stop, please.”With Ian fully onboard, Mickey didn’t hesitate or hold back. Yes it was new for Ian but Mickey didn’t take it easy on him. He didn’t go slow, he didn’t ask anymore questions. No, he spread Ian open, earning him a little gasp, fueling his desire, then gave him all that he had. He ate him out within an inch of his life. Not just kicking but sucking and poking at him. Not too deeply, but enough to where Ian was pushing back against him, one hand locked in his hair, pushing him.“God, Mickey..” Ian was cut off by another almost embarrassing whine. “This feels better than before.”Mickey nodded but he didn’t stop.“You’re going to make me come if you keep going.”There was much more Mickey wanted them to do together but if Ian didn’t come a few times before they got there, he wouldn’t make it. To make it happen, to give Ian what he wanted, Mickey used his other hand to wrap around Ian’s hips to drip his cock. He jerked him in tune with his mouth, his tongue and Ian was lost.“Please,” Ian begged, he bit the blankets but that didn’t keep the sounds from coming out. He couldn’t see, he couldn’t breathe, the only thing he could do was beg. “Mickey.”It didn’t take long at all, seconds maybe but with one more perfectly timed jerk, Ian was thrashing against the bed. Ian came all over his hand, his hips thrusting forward trying to keep it from stopping too soon. Mickey kissed over his ass, jerking slowly. He was breathless and unbelievably hard. But Ian was now breathing deeply, his body shaking, totally content.“You okay?” Mickey asked after a few minutes.For a few seconds Ian didn’t say anything. Mickey propped up on his elbow just as Ian started to giggle. It didn’t stop and Mickey smiled. He helped Ian roll over to his back and he worked his way up to see Ian’s happy face. He couldn’t help but smile and laugh with him.“Fuck,” Ian said after a minute, still giggling. “That was just…wow.”Mickey grinned, feeling very proud of himself. “I’m glad you liked it.”“I didn’t just like it, Mickey.” Ian bumped their heads together. “That was unlike anything I’ve ever felt before.”Mickey kissed him and Ian didn’t seem to mind. In fact Ian pulled him harshly against his body, one hand instantly moved down to his cock and Mickey moaned. He moved Ian’s hand and that’s what broke the kiss. Making Ian ask with his eyes.“I don’t want to come that way.” Mickey explained but it seemed like Ian still didn’t understand. “I want to come, I really fucking do, but remember when I told you I wanted to do something else?”Ian nodded. “I thought we did.”Mickey laughed. “We did, yes. Maybe I should have said multiple somethings.” He slid his hand back to Ian’s ass, gripping it. “I don’t really know how to say it without it sounding weird.”“Just say it.” Ian encouraged. “I don’t know much, but I know you’d never hurt me or do anything I wouldn’t like.”“I know.” Mickey replied, he took a deep breath and just said it, as Ian suggested. “I want to be with you, Ian. In a way we haven’t before.”Ian’s eyebrows said all he needed to say.“I want to be inside of you.” Mickey said at last and Ian’s eyes widened. “I know we haven’t talked much about if, but you know how it works, right?”Ian nodded.“I’m sorry.” Mickey admitted, but he was readying himself for denial.“You really want that?” Ian asked softly.Mickey shrugged. “We have talked about it. Both of us in those ways, but I thought maybe if you’d want to…” he shook his head, suddenly feeling like a bully. “I’m sorry.”“Why?” Ian asked.Mickey shook his head. “Ian I never want to assume you want to be with me in ways like that. Ways that we haven’t tried yet. I thought maybe you’d be open to it but I didn’t know how to ask. And for that I’m sorry.” Mickey leaned forward and kissed Ian’s forehead. “I wouldn’t want you to feel uncomfortable around me, at any time.”“I want that, Mickey.” Ian admitted. “I just have to be told what it is and what to do. That’s why I asked.”“Do you know what I’m asking?” Mickey stated clearly, watching confusion flash over Ian’s face. “Do you?”Ian shook his head.Mickey sighed. “Ian, I’m asking to be with you, sexually. I’m asking to be inside of you the way my fingers have been, and my mouth, but with other parts of me.” Ian’s eyes widened and Mickey felt even worse than he already did. “I want to have sex with you, Ian. I want to be inside of you, I want us to move together.”“I’ve never done that.” Ian admitted.“I know.” Mickey said softly. “We’ve worked up to it, but it’s never gone that far before. I just wanted to ask…to see, if you wanted to.” Mickey felt like a jackass and it was enough to make him soft, not to mention feeling ashamed to even be asking. “Ian…” Mickey shook his head. “I’m sorry.”Ian gripped Mickey’s face in his hands and forced their eyes together. “You don’t have to be sorry about what you want to do. And I may not know everything you do, but we want the same things, Mickey. I want to be with you in that way too, I just don’t know much about it or what I’m supposed to do. But that doesn’t mean I don’t want to.”“Ian, I’m not sure what to say.” Mickey admitted. He still felt awful, like a creep, but Ian didn’t see the same parison he felt like. “Tell me how I can help.”“It’s easy,” Ian said quickly but his voice was soft. “Tell me what will happen, what I do, what we do. That’s the only way I’ll be able to understand.”Mickey nodded. He took a deep, much needed breath. “You know how I used my fingers, my mouth…?” When Ian nodded, he continued. “Well, it’s just like that, only I use my dick.” Mickey flinched at his own words. There was no good way to say it. Only Ian didn’t seem surprised, nor did he object. “Do you know what I’m saying?”Ian waited a second or two before he nodded. “I think I do, but will it be like everything else we have done?”“Yes, it will.” Mickey admitted. “I just never want to assume we will and it’s also hard to explain if you’ve never done it before.”“And you have?” Ian asked.Mickey nodded. “Yeah, I have.”Ian nodded. “And you liked it?”Once again, Mickey nodded. “I’ve been the one to do it and the one to have it done. I love both sides. I only suggested this way because your legs aren’t so strong right now. I didn’t want you to overdo it.”“I want to.” Ian met those dark eyes, unsure eyes. “I really want to, Mickey. You just have to walk me through it as we go. Like you’ve done everything else.”Mickey kissed Ian so deeply he almost fell on top of him. Ian was smiling, looking unsure. “Are you sure?”Ian nodded. “I’m always sure about you.”“Okay.” Mickey smiled and kissed Ian again. He kissed him until Ian was moaning and breathless. “It’ll be just like we did before, me fingering you, me using my mouth on you, just more.” Mickey ran his hands against Ian’s side, then his ass, to which he groaned. “I promise I’ll do whatever I can to make it better for you.”That seemed to alert Ian. “Does that mean it’ll hurt?”Not wanting to be a liar, Mickey nodded. “It might hurt for a moment, but I’m going to get you ready for it, so it doesn’t hurt.”Ian seemed unsure.“Ian, I won’t force you into anything.” Mickey admitted. “The only thing I know for sure is that when it happens, when we get into it all, that you’ll love it. Just like you did for everything else we’ve done. You just have to trust me. Or I hope you do.”Ian grabbed Mickey's face, forcing their eyes to meet. “I trust you with my life, Mickey, I trust you with all of me and if I just need to go with it and know you’ll take care of me, then that’s what I want to do. I want to be with you.”Mickey smiled. “Good, I’m glad.” He kissed him again, a little harder this time until he had Ian pinned to the bed on his back. Ian held onto him, long arms wrapped around his body, nails scratching his back. “I want you so bad, Ian.”“Take me.” Ian urged him on again.It was so hard not to rush into it all. To open him up as quickly as possible so Mickey could lose himself, but this was Ian and he couldn’t, wouldn’t do that.“I need to get you ready.” Mickey propped up on his elbow, looking down at Ian. “Just like last time, I’m gonna use my fingers, okay?”Ian moaned, but nodded.Mickey reached behind him to the bedside table. He dug into it and found the bottle of lube and rolled back to Ian. “Gonna use this.” He wiggled the bottle for Ian to see. “Trust me, you don’t wanna do this without it.”When Ian didn’t say no, Mickey applied some on his fingers, making them slick. He held Ian’s eyes as he rubbed against his hole. Green eyes closed tightly, mouth open. He went slowly, just rubbing him at first, slow circles, making Ian’s legs shake.“It feels so good.” Ian moaned.“Yeah it does.” Mickey agreed. He was too busy watching him, every move. Every sigh and moan. He kept watching as he slipped into him, just a finger to start with but Ian immediately reacted. “Yeah?”Ian nodded quickly. “More.”With a satisfied grin, Mickey went in a little deeper, a little less delicately. Ian grabbed him instantly and pulled him into a kiss. As they kissed, as Ian moaned hungrily into his mouth, Mickey kept going. Pushing inside him deeper, faster. He gave Ian a little boost by hitting that special spot inside him. Ian broke the kiss.“God, that’s it.” Ian gripped Mickey’s arm, gripping hard. “Please.”Mickey backed off, going back to just fingering him again while Ian caught his breath. He didn’t want to finish him too quickly. “You okay?”“I’m fantastic.” Ian smiled.“Good.” Mickey kissed him quickly. “I’m gonna add another one, okay?” When Ian nodded, still with him, still into it, Mickey added another one and Ian’s reaction was instant. He clenched just a little. He waited until Ian nodded before he kept going. “You okay?”“Just different from before.” Ian admitted.Mickey kissed him again. “It won’t be different for long.”It didn’t take long for Ian to relax into the feeling again. He was back to moaning, panting. Every now and then Mickey could stimulate his prostate, giving him that mind numbing feeling again before he backed off. It helped Ian get into it, get used to it. It made him want more and more.“How many do we need before we can do more?” Ian asked between ragged breaths. “I really want to come.”Mickey grinned. “Normally three, but that’s just to be sure it won’t hurt. You okay with that?”Ian nodded. “I want to get to the part where you like it too.”“Ian, I like what we are doing now.” Mickey promised as he slipped his fingers out, added more lube and slid them back inside of him. “I could keep doing this all night and I’d be okay with it.”“I want to feel you, Mickey.” Ian explained. He reached down to grab him, amazed at how hard he was. “Please.”Mickey closed his eyes, giving into that amazing feeling for a few seconds before moving Ian’s hand. Instead, he put Ian’s hand on himself. “Touch yourself while I get another one in. It’ll make it easier if you’re not thinking about it.”Ian jerked himself slowly. Mickey fought the urge to do the same to himself. Instead he just added another finger, once again going slowly. Ian moaned and his hand sped up. Mickey let him do it for a minute or two until all three fingers were able to slip in and out easily. Ian was ready for him. Mickey was beyond ready.“You ready?” Mickey asked. Ian’s eyes had been closed but they slowly opened, blown all the way out in a way Mickey hadn’t seen for a long time. Ian was so sexed out. “Hmm?”“I'm ready. I want you.”Mickey slipped his fingers free, wiped them on the bed and instantly put his hands and his mouth on Ian’s body. He kissed his lips, his neck, down to his chest as far as he could without moving. Ian touched him, gripped him, urged him on until they were a tangled mess of limbs.It didn’t take long for all that touching to push Mickey over the edge. He rolled on top of Ian, earning an approving moan in return. He settled between Ian’s legs, finally skin to skin, body to body and he almost lost it right there.“I’m not going to last.” Mickey admitted. He hadn’t even done anything yet and it was almost too much. “And I don’t think you will either.”“Is that bad?” Ian asked.Normally finishing too early was a bad thing. Not bad, but not really anything to be proud of. Mickey had certainly never felt like he’d come before he was even inside anyone. But Ian was an entirely different story.“No, it’s not bad.” Mickey sat up on his knees looking down at Ian. Ian looked up at him with the same fire in his eyes. “We’re going to make each other feel good. Doesn’t matter how long it lasts, just that we both get what we need.”“I need you.” Ian reached up, touching him, his chest, then down to his hips.There would be no more waiting. Mickey grabbed the bottle of lube and made damn sure he got every inch of himself. He even added a little more to Ian just to be safe. Then he came back down to Ian, kissing him as he guided himself to Ian’s body. When he started to push inside, their kiss ended when Ian gasped.“Just let me know if I need to stop, okay?” Mickey reminded him. His arm was shaking where he held himself up. He was nervous as well. When Ian nodded, Mickey held his breath and started to push inside. Ian tensed, gripped his arms but didn’t ask him to stop. He kept it slow, pausing every few pushes for Ian to adjust, then kept going.“Mickey…” Ian moaned, his head tipped back.“Are you okay?” Mickey asked quickly, worried. He was searching his face for signs he wasn’t. “Does it hurt too much?”Ian shook his head. “Not as much as I thought.” He moaned again, his grip on mickey tightening. “It feels good.”Mickey smiled.Now that Mickey wasn’t worried about hurting Ian, the sensations he felt came rushing to him all at once. He felt Ian’s heat, his tightness and there was an overwhelming feeling he couldn’t describe. Now he was the one having a hard time, trying not to come, trying not to give in and let go. He gripped Ian’s hips, his body shaking and finally bottomed out.“Fuuuckk.” Mickey nearly fell on top of him, his body shaking. “Ian…”Ian held onto him, feeling him tremble. “What’s wrong?”If he didn’t take slow, deep breaths, he’d have busted already. “You’re just…god, you feel amazing.”“Why are you shaking?”Mickey rose up enough to look at him and knew his eyes were just as blown as Ian’s were. “Because I’ve never felt anything as good as this before. It’s hard to keep it together.”Ian smiled. “Trust me, I know. I feel that way too.”When Mickey was able to hold it together, he once again propped up on his elbow, pulled his hips back, earning a breathtaking gasp from Ian, then thrusted back inside. Only this time, he didn’t stop at one. He kept up a slow, but deep rhythm that had Ian squirming under him, gripping his sides, his arms, locking his legs around him. Mickey watched Ian’s face as he took his body, giving him all that he had.“Mickey…” Ian moaned, his body was on fire. “God, Mickey.”“I know, baby.” Mickey replied hoarsely. He gripped Ian’s leg and held it, deepening the angle so he hit that sweet spot. Ian reacted and started to tremble. “You feel it?”Ian nodded quickly. “Just like before, only better.”His own orgasm was right there along with Ian’s. They were barely holding on and they hadn’t even been going that long. They were amped up, so drunk on each other, so needy for it. But he didn’t stop, he never stopped. He was pushing into him over and over again, going a little faster as Ian writhed on the bed. Moaning, begging, his entire body flushed pink with desire.“I can’t hold it, Mickey.” Ian said in between moans. “I need it.”Mickey moved faster, deeper. “Touch yourself, Ian. Don’t fight it.” He rose up to his knees, adjusting for a moment before he kept going. He watched Ian reach down, working his cock quickly, chasing that feeling. “God, look at you.”Ian couldn’t reply. He just couldn’t take a breath without moaning. And now that he was touching himself, the pleasure spread like wildfire. Mickey watched everything, eating up everything he could see and feel. He kept going harder, deeper until Ian finally found it. He arched off the bed, head back, eyes closed and came.Mickey didn’t bother dodging, he didn’t want to. Ian came and it got everywhere. On Ian, on him, his hands and chest and his cock. That’s what did it for him, that and Ian tightened around him, squeezing. Mickey’s vision blurred, his body jerked and he came inside Ian.“Fuck..” Mickey felt like his entire skeleton came out at the same time. He thrusted slowly, keeping up the constant feeling as he rode it out.“That was…” Ian put a hand on his chest and his heart was racing. “Mickey, you were wonderful.”Mickey leaned back. He was sweating so bad his skin was slick with it, his heart pulsed in his chest, so loud he could hear it. Every inch of him was stimulated. When he looked down at Ian, seeing how beautiful he was, how amazing he looked, it was almost enough to get him hard again.“You were amazing, Ian.” Mickey found Ian’s hands and pinned them above his head as he leaned down. “I already want you again.”Ian smiled. “Well, I’m already here.”His cock twitched. “Don’t tempt me.”“I want to tempt you.” Ian got his hand free and pushed against Mickey’s lower back, he gasped at the feeling. “I didn’t think it would feel like that.”Mickey released Ian’s other hand. He held Ian’s face, wiping away a little sweat over his eyebrows. “I’m glad you didn’t hate it. It’s not for everyone.”“Do you like it too?” Ian asked.“You mean bottoming?” Mickey asked but Ian seemed confused by the word. “Bottoming is what you did, and I love it. Probably more than topping, which is what I just did. I just happen to like one better.”Ian nodded in understanding. “Would you want to switch? Like me do that to you?”Mickey groaned. He knew from the first time he saw how big Ian was, that he wanted to bottom. He wanted to so badly but Ian didn’t know about sex, but he did now. Maybe next time they would swap.“Yes, Ian.” Mickey pulled out slowly, making them both gasp, then rolled next to him and pulled Ian against his body. “I really fucking want you to.”“I need to use my legs more.”They both laughed. “Yeah, it takes the use of your legs normally, but there are other ways to do it.”“Like how?” Ian lifted his head off Mickey’s chest to peek up at him.Mickey didn’t want to get into it all or they’d be right back to where they were, tangled together in the sheets. “That is a conversation for another time. You’re tired.”Ian yawned and laid back down. “Very tired.”“Me too.” Mickey pulled the blanket up and over them, not bothering to clean up after. It could wait til morning. “Try and get some sleep before the change happens. And if I don’t wake up, please wake me so I can help you back to the pool, or the water.”“I will.” Ian said softly, he was already half asleep laying on Mickey’s chest. “I love you.”Mickey grinned. “I love you, Ian.”One of the most beautiful creatures in the world loved him. Only him. He was a lucky man.***Mickey didn’t know how long they’d been asleep, or if it was still night time, or if the sun was up. The only thing he knew was that Ian was shaking him awake. He stumbled out of a deep sleep, blinking away whatever dream he’d been in. Ian was sitting up in bed. Still a human. He looked a little startled.“Is it happening?” Mickey asked, he sat up and rubbed his eyes. It was still dark. They hadn’t been asleep long. “Ian?”Ian shook his head. “It’s not happening yet but I heard something.”Mickey listened, only hearing the sound of the fan slowly rotating above them. “Are you sure?”“I heard someone, Mickey. It sounded like they were trying to open a door.” Ian pulled the blanket up to cover himself.Now fully awake, Mickey quietly slipped out of bed, put his still damp shorts on and went to the doorway of the bedroom to listen. He almost dismissed it again, until he heard it. Someone was turning a doorknob, or trying to.“Mickey?” Ian whispered.Mickey put a finger to his lips. “Stay here and don’t come out until you see me, okay?”When Ian nodded, fully worried now, Mickey dug into the side table where he got the lube from, but grabbed the gun he had hidden inside. He checked to make sure it was loaded, making Ian gasp, then slowly crept out of the room and down the hall. He didn’t turn the lights on, or make any noise, letting whoever it was on the other side of the door assume he was still sleeping. It gave him an edge.The front door was where the noise was coming from. The doorknob turned a few times, like someone with half a brain was trying to pick it and didn’t know what they were doing. Mickey approached the door quietly and stood behind it, so he’d be out of sight when whoever it was got the door opened. He could get them from behind.It took longer than he would have liked, but the door finally clicked and when whoever it was turned it this time, it opened. Mickey kept his breathing shallow, his gun firm in his hand and hoped to God Ian listened to him and stayed in that room.The door opened and someone walked in very quietly. Only one person. Mickey held the door so it didn’t hit him and when the person closed it, Mickey moved up behind him. He lifted his arm, gun ready and pulled back the hammer. It made a noise that only it would make. Whoever it was froze, not daring to move a single inch.“You picked the wrong house.” Mickey stated firmly. He pressed the gun into the guys back, then reached back for the light switch. “Whatever you’re looking for here you won’t find.”When the stranger laughed, Mickey knew it all too well. He’d heard it numerous times before and it left his blood cold in his veins. Now he knew who it was just from the laugh, but also from the way he looked from the back. He just knew it and it was confirmed moments later when he turned around.Noah grinned an evil grin and Mickey so badly wanted to pull the trigger and blow his face across the room. And legally he could. But he hesitated. Why? He didn’t know, but he did and he knew he shouldn’t have. Why couldn’t he pull the trigger?“Why are you here?” Mickey asked, keeping the gun aimed right at Noah’s face. “Breaking and entering? That’s a little below you.”Noah laughed. “Nothing is below me when it comes to bagging a live mermaid. Especially one who’s been eluding me for so long.”Mickey cringed. “You’re disgusting.”“I’m honest.” Noah countered. “If you were smart, you’d get him too and not continue this stupid love affair when you know it has nowhere to go. You guys can’t actually be together.”Without reacting, Mickey held his stare, throwed off by the audacity to enter his home. “You’re sick, we all know that but you have a big set of balls to come here.”Noah shrugged. “It’ll be easier if you just give him up.”“That’s never going to happen.” Mickey growled.And as if Ian knew it was the wrong time, he spoke, alerting Noah of his presence. “Mickey?”Noah’s head jerked to the side, eyes wide in disbelief. He couldn’t understand why Ian was there, or how. But he was and Mickey tightened his grip on the gun. “It’s time for you to leave.”“I’m not leaving without him.” Noah declared.“You’re leaving.” Mickey aimed the gun right at his face, the barrel pushing against Noah’s skin. He met those evil eyes and watched fear take over. Noah knew he would kill him. “You make a single move that isn’t towards the door and your ass is gone.”Noah looked towards the hallway. “How is this possible?”“That’s not your concern.” Mickey used the gun to motion to the door. “You should leave now. I’m only going to warn you once.”“It doesn’t matter what you do, Mickey. I will never stop coming for him.”“That just means you're more stupid than I thought.” He followed Noah as he inched back towards the front door. “The only way this will end is with one of us dead. You and I both know that. I won’t let you get to him.”Noah smiled. “You can’t stop me.” He put one hand to his back, as if grabbing something. “I won’t stop.”Mickey was seconds away from getting Noah out of his house until Ian rounded the corner, the sheet of the bed pulled up to his chest. Noah looked at Ian, brown eyes wide as he saw two long legs instead of a tail. Their eyes met yet again and something happened, maybe Noah thought he could grab Ian now, outside the water when he wasn’t so dangerous. It was a mistake.“Don’t.” Mickey warned. Just once. There wasn’t going to be another time. “Unless you want another hole where your mouth is, you need to leave.”“Mickey?” Ian called, frightened.“It’s okay, Ian.” Mickey assured him. “Get my phone, swipe right and dial 9-1-1. Tell them someone broke into our house. They can track the call and get the address.” Without a word Ian, although confused, left the room to do as he said. “Last chance, Noah.” Mickey met his eyes. “Get out.”“I’m not leaving.” Noah said firmly.After that, everything happened all at once. One second they were there talking, the next minute Noah was coming at him, fighting for control of the gun. They struggled, jerking back and forth, Noah slugged him once, maybe twice but Mickey didn’t give up. He took the hits and fought for control. And he got it. He shoved Noah off of him, resuming control, until Noah came at him again, barreling towards him. Mickey didn’t take the chance this time, he pulled the trigger and the gun went off with a loud pop.Noah dropped to the ground. And everything was quiet.
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The Devil’s TriangleChapter 20- Light of DayEverything seemed to be in slow motion. The gun was loud, deafening, causing ringing in his ears. Mickey watched as Noah dropped to the ground, clutching his body. He hadn’t wanted to shoot him, but it happened and there was no going back. Noah was hit, the blood flowed slowly across the hardwood floors. Mickey stood there, unsure of what happened or what to do or what it all meant.Only thing he knew for sure was, he shot Noah.It didn’t take long for Ian to join them, eyes watering as he saw what happened, someone on the ground bleeding, him with a gun in his hand. He was afraid, crying and unsure what to do.Mickey lowered the weapon but didn’t put it away and he didn’t take his eyes off Noah, even wounded, he was still so dangerous. For now he was gripping at his chest where the bullet hit, trying not to bleed out before the cops and the ambulance arrived. Mickey couldn’t care less if he died. In fact it would make their lives so much easier if he did. But it would also make his life harder.“Mickey?”He looked towards the doorway. Ian still stood there covering himself with a blanket, looking absolutely horrified. “Did you call the police?”Ian nodded. “They told me to stay on the line but I didn’t.”Mickey nodded. He inched away from Noah but kept the gun and his eyes on him. He extended his hand towards Ian, asking for his phone. “Go inside the room and find some of my clothes that fit you. I need to make a call.”“What’s happening?” Ian asked, afraid.“Please,” Mickey looked at him with a pleading look. “I don’t know what’s going to happen now but you can’t be here when it does. The sun will be up anytime now and you cannot be here.”Ian seemed to understand what he meant because he didn’t ask any questions, he left and went into the room to do what Mickey asked. Meanwhile, Mickey dialed exactly one number and within seconds it was answered and he didn’t waste any time. The cops would be there in no time and Ian couldn’t be there.“Mickey?” Iggy asked, still asleep. “You okay?”Mickey sighed. “No. I need you to get here now. Like right fucking now.”Iggy was suddenly alert and already moving to get ready. “What’s happened?”At first he didn’t know what to say and wished he didn’t have to say anything. Everything would be harder now, if it wasn’t already. “Noah broke into my house and I shot him.”For a while, Iggy didn’t reply. Until he did. “Is he dead?”Mickey huffed, Noah was glaring at him, still holding his bleeding wound. He moved to the couch where his used towel was from earlier and tossed it to him so he could apply pressure and stop the bleeding. “No, but he should be. I need a favor from you right now so you’d better already be in your car.”“I am,” Iggy replied. “I’m already in my car.”He smiled. “Good. I need to stay here so I can talk to the cops about what happened and why I shot him. He broke into my place so I’m sure it won’t be an issue.”“Then why do you need me?”Mickey moved away from Noah for privacy but didn’t take his eyes off of him. He spoke softly, trying to keep his business private. “Because Ian is here and the sun will be shining very soon. I don’t want him here when the cops get here. There is no way I can explain that shit.”Iggy cursed. “How long does he have before the change and where should I take him?”“He doesn’t have long and you can take him behind my house. It’s the closest way to the water. From there, I need you to sit with him until the change because he’ll be vulnerable. Then he can get as deep into the water as he can and I don’t have to worry about him being caught.”“Should be there in two minutes.”“You have your gun?” Mickey asked and saw Noah look at him from the corner of his eyes.“I always have a gun.” Iggy assured him with a smug laugh. “Trust me, Mick, anyone who comes near us before Ian gets safely into the water will be breathing from another hole.”Mickey couldn’t have been more proud to have Iggy as a part of his family. It didn’t matter how ridiculous or stupid it was, not even legal, but Iggy would be there to back you up every single time. It was a trait that many people didn’t have anymore.“I will still find him.” Noah sneered. “You can hide him all you want, but I will get him.”Without thinking about why he shouldn’t, Mickey stormed up to him, pulled back his foot and kicked him right in the face. Blood sprouted from his nose and Noah gripped it, then his chest. It shouldn’t have happened but there was no stopping it. Noah deserved it and worse for what he’d done to him, Ian and beating the hell out of Mandy.“You want more?” Mickey barked, the phone was still in his ear and knew Iggy could hear it. “If not shut the fuck up.”“I’m pulling up now.” Iggy said.Mickey hung up his phone and opened the front door. Iggy was there, seeing the entire scene of his bloody living room, looking like he wanted to wail into Noah and teach him yet another lesson about life and not being in people's lives when he shouldn’t. Mickey let him in and closed the door.“Ian!” Mickey said loudly. Then he looked at Iggy. “Put Ian in the truck or my jeep, doesn’t matter what, then drive him down to the beach. The change should be happening very, very soon.”Ian came around the corner dressed in a pair of Mickey’s sweats which were too big, no shirt and a pair of his shoes. He looked uncomfortable and very afraid, he had tears in his eyes. He handed the gun to Iggy so he could walk over to Ian without worrying about Noah moving or trying for a weapon.“What’s going to happen?” Ian asked, stumbling as he walked but fell into Mickey’s arms. “I don’t want you to be in trouble.”Mickey held him, rubbing his back. “I didn’t mean to scare you, Ian. I never expected this to happen.”“What will happen?” Ian asked.Mickey wouldn’t lie, but he didn’t know the entire truth. “I’m not sure yet but I know one thing, you can’t be here when they get here. Not just because they want to question and ID you, but because the change is coming soon”“I don’t want to leave you, Mickey.” Ian cupped his face. “I don’t like not knowing what’s going to happen.”“I know.” Mickey said and in the distance he could hear the sirens, maybe cops or the ambulance. He glanced at Iggy who knew just as he did. “I can’t tell you what’s going to happen because I don’t know and I’m sorry. But I also don’t have time to talk about it. I need you to go with Iggy and stay away until we figure out what’s happening .”Ian started to cry, but he nodded. “Please don’t leave me, Mickey. I can’t do this without you.”Mickey cupped Ian’s face, wiping away tears as he kissed him as deeply and quickly as he could. He pulled back and realized he was crying as well. “Baby, please, just go with him. I will get back to you as soon as I can but you can’t be here. I don’t want them to know about you. You need to be safe.”“Mickey,” Iggy hated to interrupt but he had no choice. “They’re getting closer. We need to leave now or they’ll see us.”“I love you.” Ian whispered, tears dripping down his cheeks.“I love you, too, Ian.” Mickey replied. “Please leave and wait til one of us comes to you okay? And don’t use that cave again. He knows where it is.”It was hard to see Iggy take Ian out the back door, helping him walk. Mickey cried silently as he watched, as he saw Noah watching them, wanting so badly to follow them, to capture Ian. And Ian went with him, maybe stalling as much as possible but with a confident smile he didn’t feel, and Iggy promptly guiding him, they both left.“You can’t stop me, Mickey.” Noah groaned and pushed the bloodied towel harder against his chest. “I don’t care what he means to you, or why you’re doing this, but I will get him.”Mickey stalked towards him, almost in a fit of rage and raised his gun until it was pointed at Noah’s face, right between his brown eyes. “You’re lucky I don’t just kill you right now. And I could get away with it because you broke into my house in the middle of the night.”Noah sneered. “So why don’t you?”“Because I’m not a monster like you are.” Mickey spat. “With the things you’ve done, not just to me but to everyone else, you don’t deserve to live.”Noah nodded in agreement. “Maybe not, but I will make it out of this and when I do, he’s mine.”Mickey pushed the gun against his head this time, right against his skin and met those abusive brown eyes. “If I ever see you around him again, I won’t hesitate to kill you. There won’t be any towels to help you stop the bleeding, I won’t call the cops. And if you’re lucky, they will have a place to bury you. If not, you’ll never be found.”Noah shook his head. “Then you better kill me the next time we meet because this won’t happen again.”The sirens got closer and when he saw the lights flash against the side of his house, Mickey set the gun far away from where Noah could reach it and waited for them to come in and it didn’t take long. Soon his house was flooded by cops and paramedics, ones who acted like Noah was a victim and not a criminal. Mickey let them, just so he wouldn’t go to jail for killing him without a reason. It was the opposite. Mickey shot him, yes, but he gave him something to plug the wound until paramedics could get there. He was an innocent man who used self defense.It didn’t matter. Mickey was nearly tackled by the cops just trying to restrain him, even though he didn’t fight them. Noah did, however. He fought them, pushing them away and saying he didn’t need help but it didn’t matter. They took control and cuffed Noah’s hands behind his back while they treated his wounds.It all went so quickly, and talking to the cops didn’t matter much at the moment. They were both detained and put into separate cars and driven to the station. Once there, Mickey was hauled into an interrogation room and locked in. He didn’t bother looking into the two way glass or yelling or making a scene. He just sat there and waited for someone to come back and talk to him.Noah was probably on his way to the hospital to get patched up and really hoped Iggy was able to get Ian out without making a scene. Even if he did, the cops might realize there was another person there, a material witness that can corroborate the entire thing, or discredit what he said. Then again, Noah would probably tell them what all happened and that someone was there. There was no telling what they’d come at him with, but whatever it was, he was going to talk about Ian. Jail or not.It didn’t take long but then again it could have taken hours, before the doors opened and a detective came in with a decorated cop behind him. They shut the door and Mickey kept eye contact with them as much as possible. The cop stood by the door while the detective came further in, pulled a chair out and sat down.“Mister Milkovich, my name is Detective Grayson with the Miami police.”The guy didn’t offer a hand and Mickey didn’t offer. This wasn’t formal. He was currently cuffed to a table. Mickey nodded in his direction but didn’t speak. Not just yet. People intended to out themselves without meaning to simply by saying too much when they were nervous or scared.“Can you tell me what happened tonight at your home?” Detective Grayson asked.Mickey nodded. “Yeah, I was asleep in my room when I heard someone wiggling a door knob. I got up, checked the other doors and realized the front door was being picked. I grabbed the registered gun I have my name and waited.”Detective Grayson nodded. “And did you call the police before or after this happened?”“After.” Mickey wondered if they had Ian’s voice on the recording and hoped to god they didn’t. “I didn’t know who it was and it didn’t really matter because they broke into my house. And considering this is a “Stand Your Ground” state, I don’t think I’ll be staying long.”With a smile, Detective Grayson nodded. “You are right about that. But you understand that this is protocol.”Mickey did know, all too well. He had a minor juvie record when he was younger but nothing violent or else he wouldn’t be able to have a registered gun. “I’m sure he’ll tell you something different but that’s the truth. If I had broken into his home in the middle of the night, he’d have done the same thing. Maybe even killed me. And if you didn’t notice, I only winged him as a warning.”“Yes, his injuries aren’t life threatening, and GSR on your hands proves you shot him.”Again, he already admitted to that.“We also found a lock-pick kit on him, as well as a weapon in his name, so your story checks out.” Detective Grayson informed him. “But he did say one thing that I have to ask you.”Fuck, here we go.“He said there was another person there with you. A witness to me, if you can tell me who that was I can interview him and get this moving along quickly.”Mickey smiled deviously but shook his head no. “I will admit to someone else being there, but I don’t know his name and don’t know how to find him.” The Detective looked confused. “See, I picked him up earlier that night and didn’t bother asking for a name. Feel me?”The Detective hesitated a moment but nodded. “He’s the one that called the cops?”“Yup.” Mickey nodded just as the door opened. Iggy was standing there with some leggy redhead lady in a skirt suit and a briefcase. “And as you can see I brought my own counsel if I needed it but I think you were about to let me go, right?”“Detective Grayson, my name is Lilian Monroe, Mister Milkovich’s attorney. I’ve read through the reports and it’s clear that he shot an intruder that broke into his home. Your captain informed me you haven’t pressed charges and I’m here to make sure he gets home in time for breakfast.”Mickey couldn’t hide his grin, neither could Iggy who stood confidently next to her, almost like backup. Although this lady didn’t seem like she needed any help. She could hold her own and then some.“You’re right, Miss Monroe.” Detective Grayson stood and gave them each a smile. “Your client is free to go, although we will need a signed release from a judge before we can give him his weapon back.”Without hesitation she brought out a paper and handed it to the Detective. “As you can see here, it’s already signed by a judge and he is free to pick it up on his way out. Was there anything else?”The Detective seemed a little angry but smiled all the same. “No. I think we are done here. Officer Blake, if you’d be so kind to release him. They can be on their way.”“Also, we will be pressing charges against Mr. Wilcox for breaking and entering and assault. He had a weapon on him as well and had intent to commit bodily harm against my client. I know he’s being treated for his injuries but I want him transported right after.”The Detective didn’t look too happy and Mickey could understand why. This was a mess but it was up to Noah to get his own lawyer and fix his part of the mess.“If he’s not taken there immediately after he’s treated you will be seeing me again and I won’t be asking nicely this time.” Lilian smiled. “I hope we understand each other.”Detective Grayson nodded stiffly. “I’m sure you’ll be hearing from his lawyer anytime, as you will from me if I have anything else to talk to your client about.”She smiled like a devil. “Of course. But make sure you call my office before you talk to Mister Milkovich again. He’s not to speak to you or anyone else in the department without me here with him.”“Yes ma’am.” The Detective almost sneered.Mickey held out his arm and the cop quickly came over and took the cuffs off. He rubbed his wrist a little and stood to meet the lawyer and Iggy by the door. He met the Detective’s eyes and smiled. “Nice doing business with you.”“Let’s go.” The lawyer said and together they all walked out. “Mister Milkovich, you can stop by the desk to retrieve your firearm but until this is all behind you, I’d suggest not using it again anytime soon.”“Got that right.” Mickey met Iggy’s eyes, silently asking about Ian and with a confident nod, he was able to relax a little.“Also, it’s just as smart to stay clear of Mr. Wilcox. Not just until this blows over but in general. Unless you want to pay my very high fee again, so close to this one.” She stopped and smiled. “Hmm?”Mickey shook his head and offered her his hand to shake, and she did. “No, but thank you anyway. We should be clear from here.”“Good.” She smiled back. “Have a nice day, Mister Milkovich.”They both waited until after she was gone before they could talk and Mickey only asked one thing. “How’s Ian?”“He’s fine. Deep in the water somewhere until you go find him. He seemed a little freaked out but I told him I’d get you out before too long. I called that lawyer just after we spoke and let her know what was happening. She beat me here but I asked her to wait for me.”Mickey pulled him close into a fierce hug. “Thank you, man. Not just for her help but for Ian. I wasn’t sure how the hell that was going to go down.”Iggy nodded and moved back. They started walking down to the desk. “It’s almost eight now. I know you have to check up on Ian but Knox should be flying back as we speak. I know you wanna get some info from them.”After all that had happened, he’d almost forgotten about them and the entire ritual thing for Ian. He was just happy Ian was safe and Noah would be facing charges, if his skeezy lawyer didn’t help him wiggle out of it. It would keep Noah off his back for awhile until the got some things figured out.“Yeah, I need to check on him and if he’s okay I want to meet with Knox the second he lands down. I don’t care if he’s tired or if Mandy and whatever her name is has something else to do. They come to my place or yours or wherever but I need to meet with them ASAP.”Iggy nodded. “I’ll let them know to meet wherever you want. At least Noah can be contained for a few weeks, or days so we have time to figure this shit out, whatever it is.”The lady at the front desk took his release form and told him to wait. He did and moments later she came back with his gun in an evidence bag. She made him sign a number of papers and said shit he didn’t care about before she’d hand it over. Mickey shoved it in the back of his jeans and together they made their way out to his Jeep, which Iggy drove. They made it back to Mickey’s house in under twenty minutes.Mickey swapped keys, his jeep for Iggy’s truck and instantly hopped inside and turned over the ignition. “Let me know when they land and I’ll tell you where we can meet. I don’t even know if my home is safe anymore.”Iggy nodded and moved towards his truck. “I’ll sweep the house for bugs when I get home and get the device but it should be okay. Let me know when and where you want to meet and I’ll make it happen.”Their cars were side by side now, their drivers side doors almost touching. Mickey extended his fist and waited for Iggy to tap it with his own. “Thank you, man, for everything.”Igfy grinned. “Not to worry, Mick. We can handle this shit, just as we have been. Text me and we’ll be there.”Mickey backed out of the driveway. “Love you.”“Love you, too, Mickey.” Iggy replied before Mickey peeled out.**Mickey was careful as he drove to the lighthouse. Every car was Noah’s, or one of his henchmen. He took turns that he didn’t need to take just to make sure he wasn’t followed. The drive was about ten minutes tops and it took over forty-five. He wasn’t followed, and if he was, these guys were beyond professionals. He was fairly certain that he was alone and parked in the lot and made his way back down to the beach. The gun he got back, the one he used to shoot Noah, the one his lawyer told him not to use was tucked in the back of his shorts, ready and willing to use.It was already past sunrise, in a few minutes it would peak behind the clouds. Mickey didn’t hesitate but went to the water until he was up to his waist. Then he waited and waited and waited until it seemed like Ian would never come back. And maybe he wouldn’t. Maybe all that stuff that happened was too much to handle and he took off. Ian would probably be better off, being away from humans, away from Noah altogether.Mickey was about to give up. The sun was up and shining bright and he was sure Ian wouldn’t show. It might be better if he didn’t, but Mickey wished he would. As he was wading back to the shore, the water moved in a way that had him looking back. And he did. And for a second he didn’t see anything but water, until he saw it. Until Ian’s burning halo of hair breached the water, seeing what there was to be seen.Mickey moved quickly, fighting the waves, not sure what or who could be watching. He made his way to Ian as quickly as he could and when he did, Ian still didn’t come out of the water. “Ian.” Mickey said with so much passion, so much relief he was already tearing up. “I’m so happy you’re okay.”When he was met with silence, Mickey’s smile faded away and he was left with anxiety, fear and didn’t know what would happen.“I’m sorry for what happened.” Mickey spoke softly when Ian didn’t say or do anything. He wouldn’t even come out of the water, let alone come closer. “I really didn’t know what was going to happen and I only did what I thought was right.”Ian just stared at him. Mickey wasn’t sure why or what was wrong but he didn’t like the silence.“Baby, I’m really sorry.” Mickey spoke again and moved closer. Ian didn’t shrink away. “I just did what I thought I should do. And Noah is fine, he’s not going to die or anything like that.”Suddenly Ian was above water and moving towards him very quickly. His green eyes were rimmed red where he’d been crying, or worried. His smile no longer existed, and it left an eerie feeling deep inside. Like maybe they’d never recover from this.“Ian, please.” Mickey begged and tears began to fall slowly from his eyes. He didn’t wipe them away or try to stop his emotions from surfacing. “I’m sorry.”Maybe Ian was afraid of him. So far, nothing like this has happened yet. At least nothing so dangerous and extreme. Maybe it had been too much for Ian, maybe he didn’t want anything to do with him anymore. Or maybe Mickey’s attempt at making their time special for Ian hadn’t really been as special as he thought. Maybe it was a total fail, a lame attempt to rewrite Ian’s awful history with that man who claimed to love him. Just maybe HE wasn’t good enough for Ian.When Mickey had given up, when all hope left his body and he was sure that Ian never wanted to be connected with him or that life again, he headed back to the shore without a second glance. He made it all the way up the shore, into the bank and into dry sand before the water behind him shifted again. Against his better judgment, Mickey didn’t look back. He wasn’t sure what Ian would see when he looked at him again but it wouldn’t be anything good. He just kept walking.“Mickey.” Ian said softly.Mickey kept walking, ignoring his soft voice beneath the harsh thrust of waves and the wind against his hair. Ian didn’t really want to see him. If he did, they’d be talking already, or kissing, hugging even. Something to make sure that each of them were okay after what happened.“Mickey, please.” Ian said again.This time Mickey couldn’t force another step. He stopped, unsure if his half broken heart could take anymore rejection from Ian. But he stopped, against his better judgment but he didn’t turn around. He wasn’t sure what he'd see or hear and he wasn’t sure if he should hear it at all. Maybe Ian just needed to break free of everything and anything associated with him and human life.“I’m sorry, Mickey.” Ian said loudly, hoping to reach him from such a distance. “I was so scared…”At that, Mickey listened so hard he ignored the waves and the wind and his own pounding heart beat.“I was afraid I’d never see you again.” Ian said at last, almost choking on his own tears. “I didn’t know what would happen after you shot Noah. I didn’t know if they’d let you out, I didn’t know if I’d ever see you again.”Mickey turned this time and met Ian’s tear stained face with a wet look of his own. He made his way back down to the beach. He’d been afraid as well, not only for being potentially locked up but that Iggy hadn’t gotten there in time to keep Ian from being discovered.“I wasn’t sure if I should come back. I don’t want to make your life harder, Mickey.” Ian said but his voice broke halfway through. “I never want to make things harder for you.”“Ian…” Mickey wiped his face and went back into the water. Ian was waiting, only separated by a few feet of dark water. “I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t think what we have was real. I wouldn’t have gone to jail, possibly being convicted of attempted murder if I didn’t think you were worth it.” Ian seemed to cry harder, those green eyes dark and sad. “And maybe our lives would be easier if we weren’t together but I know that if you leave now, if you decided not to be a part of my life anymore, that I wouldn’t make it much longer.”Ian bowed his head in shame, in guilt.“Maybe you’d be better off, safer maybe, and if you think that’s what you need I’ll be the first to help you.” Mickey got so close he could see Ian’s tears shimmering down his cheeks. “But I know that if we aren’t together, that if you decide to leave because you think it’s the best thing…” he was cut off by an embarrassing burst of emotion in the form of tears. He couldn’t keep them hidden. “Then I don’t know what I would do, Ian. I don’t think that I’d want to continue this boring, horrible life without someone so wonderful, someone like you. Giving me a reason to be better, a reason to fight.”“Mickey…” Ian cried, he swam closer until he couldn’t anymore because of the sand.Mickey almost couldn’t take it. He almost walked away and maybe that would have been easier. But something pulled him closer, drawing him in. “Please just give me another chance. I will make it safe for you, as much as I can. I’ll do whatever I can to make sure nothing happens to you.”“Oh, Mickey.” Ian wiped his face, clearing the tears. “I don’t think I can do this without you. I don’t want to live everyday without seeing you, without hearing your voice. I just got so scared about what happened, about what Noah saw. I can’t take anyone else coming after me. He is hard enough to get away from.”It was confusing. It almost seemed like Ian was asking for a way out but at the same time it seemed like he was begging Mickey to hold on. To not give up. Mickey had no intention of giving up or letting Ian go, not unless it was at Ian’s behest. Until that happened, which it hopefully wouldn’t, Mickey would fight to the ends of the earth for him. For them.Mickey came to Ian in the water, not caring too much about getting wet. He didn’t even notice anymore, shoes and all went into the water. Ian came to him and he opened his arms wide. Ian hugged him like they would never see each other again and Mickey returned it. Kissing his head, rubbing his back. His shoulders. Trying to convince himself that Ian was alive, safe and there with him.“Noah won’t be coming for you, or me for a while.” Mickey promised. “He is being charged with breaking and entering and possible assault. He’s going to jail and can’t reach us.”Ian pulled back. “But he has so many guys. What if they come?”That was always a possibility. Noah can still run things from a hospital or jail cell. He had enough juice for it and enough money. Both of which Mickey kept to himself. “The only thing I can tell you is that he won’t get you. Or they won’t get you. I won’t let that happen.”“How?”“Knox and Mandy will be here soon, I need to go meet with them and see what they’ve found out about trying to help you.” Ian’s watery eyes shone sadly in the sun. “If it works, if we can make you whole again, you won’t ever have to come up here again. You won’t have to worry about them.” Now Mickey was tearing up, he knew what he said and what it meant and said it anyway. “You can be safe.”“And what about us?” Ian asked. New tears dripped down his cheeks, mixing with the salt water.Mickey didn’t have an answer for that, nor could he promise they'll always be together. So he didn’t. He just smiled and hoped Ian didn’t ask anymore questions he couldn’t answer. “We don’t need to think about that now, Ian. I just need to see what they found out and what we can do to help you.”“There is something you’re not telling me.” Ian ignored what he said and stated flatly. “Why?”They didn’t have time for this. Ian needed to lay low until he talked to Mandy and Knox and keep himself safe until they had a plan. Mickey wouldn’t answer him. Not right now because he was afraid of what he might say. Maybe something true that they didn’t want to hear or believe. “I can’t tell you anything right now because I don’t know. I just know that I need to go meet with them and find out and you need to lay low, like the bottom of the ocean low so nothing happens to you while I’m away.”Ian didn’t want to let it go, but he did. For now. “How will I know when it’s a good time to find you?”Mickey dug into his pocket where his cell phone was encased in a waterproof bag. He gave it to Ian. “I know Knox taught you a little about cell phones and how to answer.” Ian nodded. “When it rings it’ll pop up with someone’s picture, either Iggy’s or Knox, Mandy maybe. It’ll be someone you know. You swipe the green bar to the right and I’ll be able to talk to you.”“Then you can tell me where we can meet?” Ian asked.Mickey nodded. “I’m not sure if you’ll be able to answer if it rings and you’re under water, maybe you’ll have to find a safe place to answer it and have service but their numbers are all on the first part of the phone. Just touch it and it’ll call one of them.”“I hope it doesn’t take too long.” Ian gripped the bag in his hand. He didn’t have anywhere else to stash it. “I want to know what they find out.”“You will.” Mickey smiled and leaned in for a kiss, which Ian granted him. Even if it didn’t last long. “Please just be careful and don’t come up if you can help it. Noah’s guys aren’t smart enough to find you unless you let them see you.”“You be careful too, Mickey. They will be coming after you as well to get to me. You have to be very careful.”“I will.” Mickey promised. He kissed Ian again only this time it was passionate, loving. An end to an end type of kiss. They moved apart and Mickey watched Ian slowly sink back into the water.It didn’t take long to jump into the car and haul ass back to his house. The door had been left unlocked as he went away in cuffs. The blood was still on the floor from when he shot Noah. Yeah, cops and paramedics don’t usually clean up the space before they leave. Mickey thought about cleaning it up but he could care less right now. He kicked the door closed behind him, went into the kitchen and grabbed a beer from the fridge. He finished it before he moved and grabbed another one.Their night had been brutally interrupted and Mickey wished more than anything that he could get the rest of the night with Ian back. That they could end it on a good note, on a happy one. One where Ian would remember how special he tried to make him feel, how included even with how separate they had to be at times. Noah ruined it. He shattered maybe his only attempt at trying to replace Ian’s awful first human experience with something full of love and acceptance.Mickey ignored the messy kitchen as well as the rest of the house and went to his landline and voicemail machine. He had a flashing message and clicked it so it played out loud while he drank.“Hey, Mick, it’s me. I just wanted to let you know that Knox and Mandy will be landing at 11:15. I told them to go right to your place and I’ll meet you there with Quinn.”Finally, they were getting back from what was probably a three day visit, that felt like two months had gone by. It would be nice to know what they were in for, if anything and be able to know one way or another if they could help Ian.“I’m not sure what they’re going to say, or if they found something that can help or not but we can get to the bottom of it.”Iggy was always so supportive. A real champion.“When I left you earlier, I saw one of Noah’s guys following me. I lost him but I’m sure they know where I live just like they know where you do. I want to put someone at the hospital, someone I can trust, Colin. You remember? Haven’t seen him in awhile but I can trust him to sit on Noah and let us know if or when something happens.”Mickey hadn’t heard from Colin, Iggy’s brother, his cousin, in years. He got involved with drugs and gangs and they just lost touch, but he was a Milkovich and could be trusted no matter what. It would be helpful if he could watch Noah, at least while he’s at the hospital to make sure that the bastard didn’t try and get out and maybe see what they had planned for retaliation. Because it was coming.“I’ll call you when I hear from them.” The message ended with a loud beep.At least Iggy had somewhat of a plan. The only thing Mickey could see was Ian, making sure he was safe and okay and not about what else could happen when he was too busy worrying. Iggy more than made up for that and always had his back.**Within the next few hours, Mickey opened the door when the bell went off and smiled happily at Mandy. She jumped at him, hugging him with both arms around his neck. He hugged her back, noticing she seemed a little older now. Even after three days away. Maybe it was the information she learned that left her feeling older, worn down and tired.“It’s good to see you.” Mickey kissed the side of her head and let her down so her feet touched the floor. She was crying but he didn’t know exactly why. But it didn’t matter. “You okay?”Mandy shook her head. “When Igg told me what happened with Noah…I was afraid. I don’t want to lose you.”That’s what Ian said. Almost exactly.Mickey offered her a fake smile, only making the effort for her. “It’s gonna take a lot more than him to bring me down, Mandy. You don’t gotta worry.” She smiled, seeming to believe him and came inside, only to gasp at the sight of his living room. “I haven’t had time to clean it up yet.”Mandy saw red, all over. “There is so much blood, Mickey. Are you sure he isn’t dead?”“If only.” Mickey huffed. “I’ll clean it up in a second.”Within seconds he was wrapped up in a pair of overly muscled, tattooed arms. They picked him up off the ground a few inches and embraced him in a long, crushing hug. Knox was much taller than him, almost an entire person taller, but he was just as soft as Mandy. Mickey let himself be man handled for a few seconds before his feet hit the floor and Knox let him go.“Missed you too, buddy.” Mickey laughed. Knox looked worn down too and almost like he would cry. “All good?”“All good.” Knox promised and they gripped hands on agreement. “Glad you’re still breathing.”“Like he could bring me down.” Mickey joked but everyone took it lightly. It could have easily gone the other way with him in the hospital with a bullet in him. “Come on in.” Knox didn’t blink at the blood, he was used to it and it didn’t frighten him. Sammi followed without a smile and a look of dread on her face. Not even happy to be back or repulsed by the blood.Something was wrong.Iggy and Quinn came in behind them, all giving him that heal hearted hug, with Quinn holding on a little tighter. He hadn’t been in the loop last night and was very happy to see him standing without so much as a mark on him. He let everyone in and they all pretended not to see the mess of blood and bloody rags on the floor. They moved to the kitchen area and those who wanted to sit did and those who wanted to stand did.“This doesn’t look good.” Mickey said as he moved to the fridge for another beer. He turned, holding it up to see who wanted one. Sammi was the first to raise her hand. As did everyone else. “I don’t know if I want to know.”Knox nodded. His beer was just about gone already. “It’s not exactly bad but it’s nothing to celebrate either. What we learned, and how hard it was to get that information will make it so you don’t want to know.”Mandy nodded. “It’s a lot heavier than we all thought but from the book Sammi showed us beforehand, we aren’t completely caught off guard with it all. The details were a little sketchy.”Sammi stayed silent and Mickey couldn’t help but notice. Although, he didn’t say anything. Not yet.“And what could be so bad that you wouldn’t want Ian to know before me?” Mickey asked. He met everyone's eyes and only Iggy, Quinn and himself seemed to be lacking the information needed. “Fuck, it can’t be that bad.”“It is.” Sammi spoke up, voice hard, afraid. “Ian will get what he wants, he’ll be able to become a full mermaid again, but again it’s not without a sacrifice like most older rituals.”Mickey focused directly on her, locked in. Ready for whatever came their way. “Tell me.” He wasn’t nice with his words but he couldn’t be. Ian’s future was in his hands and he would do whatever he could to get Ian back to the form he wanted to be in.The room was quiet for a long time and Mickey couldn’t understand why Knox and Mandy refused to interject and say something. To tell him what he needed to know. But for some reason they knew not to say anything and left it up to her to decide when and how to tell him. It was unnerving.“The ritual to make Ian return to his natural state isn’t hard.” Sammi said at last. She got up and helped herself to another beer. She chugged it and crushed the can before she continued. “I have the text, we can get the items and ingredients for it, but again, there is a price.”Mickey came closer to her where she sat on the couch. He sat beside her. Careful of what he said and how he said it. “And what price would that be?”Tears came to her eyes. “The ritual is very dangerous for everyone involved. For me, Ian and you, because you’re linked to him. As is Knox and Mandy because they have been searching just as hard as I have been.”“Okay.” Mickey said, waiting for the shoe to drop. And it would, without a doubt.“The ritual must be performed without doubt and hesitation, without any of us doing something wrong or making the wrong move. It has to go perfectly for it to work.”Mickey was getting more anxious by the minute. Something was wrong. “And if it doesn’t? If there is a problem?”Sammi wiped her tears and met his eyes. “Then we all die.”That wasn’t what he was expecting and from the way Mandy and Knox avoided his eyes, he knew there was something else. Maybe something worse, although he couldn’t think of something more awful than dying.“But that’s not the sacrifice you’re talking about, right, the price to pay?” Mickey asked and Sammi shook her head. It didn’t make sense. It seemed like a big price. “Then what is?”“In order to restore Ian to his true self requires a sacrifice, one so big that only one person can do it. Only one person will suffer and Ian will be able to live his life happily.”Mickey automatically assumed the “person” was him. He was the person closest to Ian. Maybe he’d have to lose someone, or offer himself in order for Ian to be changed. But if that were the case, whatever Sammi found out about him turning to be with Ian was null and void now.“And who is that person?” Mickey asked, even when he knew it was him.Sammi cried harder, letting another round of tears fall before she wiped them away and tried to gain her composure. She met his eyes again. “Me.”Now he really was confused. Sammi didn’t even know Ian. Literally only saw him once in her life. Only read about him in books safe in her home. While he and his family, his friends, had almost died because they were trying to protect Ian. It couldn’t be her. She had no connection with Ian whatsoever. It was almost an insult.“How?” Mickey asked but shook his head. He turned to her, meeting those teary eyes and saw nothing but fear. His own reflected jealousy. “Why you? You don’t even know him.”Knox chimed in. “Mickey…”“No.” Mickey cut him off with an angry glare. “Why would you have to sacrifice anything for him?”When Sammi didn’t answer, Mickey became angry. He didn’t understand how he could love Ian so much, to risk his life every second since they’d known each other to keep him safe and this woman…one he’d only met once or twice in his lifetime, and Ian’s and SHE was the one to set this entire thing in motion? It was like a slap in the face. Something he couldn’t understand or let go, something that had him out of his ear and pacing the floor, trying to find the answer and getting angrier with every step.“WHY?!” Mickey screamed. He was right in her face and Knox was there in an instant to pull him back. He was so strong that Mickey couldn’t fight against him. “Why you?!”Sammi stood up, eyes dark and angry while still crying. “Because I’m the only one who can do it! Do you have any magic in you, hmm? No I didn’t fucking think so.”Mickey calmed down, pushing Knox away while he listened to her, while he watched her lose it and cry.“Well I do!” She screamed. “I’m the one connected to Ian by generations of the people responsible for what happened to him. I’m the one who will choose to save him and I’m the one who will lose my magic for him to get what he wants!!”That had Mickey’s blood running cold. That made him rethink why he was so jealous and such an asshole to someone who’d been helping him the entire time. That’s what made him realize how important she was to them, to Ian. Without her, Ian would be doomed to remain how he was. In misery.“I’m the one who loses in this round, Mickey.” Sammi wiped her tears but it didn’t matter, more replaced them seconds later. “I’m the person who has to sacrifice something for someone else. Not you, not any of you.”Mickey pushed Knox away and this time he let him. He didn’t want to fight with her anymore, he didn’t want to argue or scream or anything. “No one is asking you to do that.”She laughed. “Yes, you are. You all want what’s best for Ian, to give him the life he wants. You’d give your life for him.”“Yes, I would.” Mickey acknowledged. “But he won’t ask that of you, and neither will I. I’d give my entire self to be with Ian, to give him what he wants and make sure he’s happy but I wouldn’t ask anyone else to do that for him.”“I don’t have a choice.” Sammi admitted. “It’s my family who did this to him, it has to be my family…me, to make it right again. It’s the only way to reset the balance.”Now he was confused and she could see it.“After Ian was cursed, the magic in my family started to fade, to die. It was used to hurt someone. Ian. Most of my family never knew what it meant to have magic, to be able to feel it in your bones, in your blood. I was lucky enough after countless generations, that actually felt it within me.”The entire room was silent. No one knew what to say, but knew that she’d made up her mind.“Now I have to give it up, give a part of myself away forever so Ian can be free. So my family can be redeemed.” Sammi took a long, ragged breath. “That’s why it has to be me, Mickey. It doesn’t matter what you want or what you say, this connects me to Ian and Ian to me.”“I’m sorry.” Mickey apologized. She smiled a little and he knew that she knew he meant well and why he got upset in the first place. “I don’t know what it would be like to give something up like that, not even by accident. But I won’t ask you to do this.”“You don’t have to. I’m doing it. Not just for Ian, but for my family. But it’s really dangerous. Everyone has to be in a certain spot and say a certain thing on time and in sync with each other and with me or my magic will backfire and drain the life out of all of us, even Ian.”That was a high price to pay for just one person. Even for Ian. But Mickey looked on each of their faces, seeing solid determination to do this, to make it right and give Ian what he so badly wanted. He knew even if he tried to talk them out of it, make them see the insanity behind it, that they’d do it anyway.“Okay then.” Mickey said as almost a declaration. Sammi offered a smile. “What do we need to do and what all do we need for this?”Mandy opened the heavy book she had a death grip on. And maybe her eyes were a little watery as well. “There is a list of things that we need. Most of it Sammi already has, and a few rare things came from that old witch lady we met in the forest.”Mickey moved across the room to read over her shoulder. Most of those things he couldn’t even pronounce, the others he never heard of. “Okay so what are we missing?”“We need Ian’s blood, we all have to drink a little of it, a few drops will do. That way we are all linked together and without that blood connection we can’t make it work. We need two of Ian’s scales, one for each change of colors. One for the day time and one for nighttime.”“Doesn’t sound too hard, but the blood thing is weird.” Mickey cringed. He didn’t want to drink anyone’s blood, least of all Ian’s. “What else?”“We need a white moonstone, I’ve tried looking for one but they are a little expensive so we might just have to bite the bullet and buy it. Rose quartz for love, which I have one of those back at my place. And the last is labradorite, a stone of transformation which is the big element here.”“Bunch of stones and plants and a little chanting?” Mickey questioned but it sounded a little far fetched. If they thought this would work, he would make sure he had everything they needed to make it right. “Anything else?”“Yeah,” Sammi cut in. “We need the blood of the person who cursed him. In which case that would be my blood. I know how to set it all up and I can tell each of you what to say and when.”“When do we do this?” Mickey asked her. “Does it matter when?”Sammi nodded. “We need the power of the full moon, which is tomorrow night. That will amp up the power and make sure we don’t all die in the process. It also gives us plenty of time to get the items that we don’t have and gives me time to make sure you guys have the right words you need.”That would give him enough time to see Ian and let him know what all would happen. But he didn’t know much, other than it was dangerous and complicated.“Where would we do this at?” Mickey asked. He needed to know where to get Ian to go, or if he had to help him get there.“It needs to happen right on the beach. We need the water close to us. It’ll draw more power for us.”Mickey nodded. “I need to talk to him. To prepare him. I don’t want him in the dark with all of this, not if we can help it. He needs to know what to expect.” He looked at Sammi directly. “I know it’s probably going to hurt, like his change did before and like he does every day when it happens.”She nodded.“Do I need to tell him anything else?” Mickey asked her.“Just let him know what he’s risking, his life. If this goes bad, I pray it won’t, but he needs to know.”Mickey smiled sadly. “Ian is willing to risk his life for this, Sammi. It’s all Ian wants.”“Not everything.” Sammi gave a real smile this time.The room seemed to shift, it became a little bit lighter. They weren’t all so on edge anymore. At least not for now. Maybe it would all work out in the end, that is, except for Sammi.“Can I talk to you for a second?” Mickey asked her, getting everyone’s attention. “Alone, please.”Sammi nodded and moved away from Knox. He didn’t want to let her go, but he did. “I won’t be long.”They walked out of the room together, then out the front door and Mickey closed it behind him. Most of what he had to say was common knowledge but one detail would change everything. “I think you know what this is about?”“I do.” Sammi said. “And most of them know, right?”Mickey nodded.“Then why the need for privacy?”“Because, I don’t think this will work now.” He admitted with a sigh of defeat. “I mean if you change Ian, or when you do, your magic is gone, right?”Sammi nodded, still confused. “Yes.”“If you do this for Ian tomorrow night, your magic will be gone right? That’s what you said?” Mickey asked, his anxiety was creeping up and he was sure she could feel it when he spoke. “Okay so how can you help me, if you found something to help me, that is, if you have no magic?”That confused look dropped into one of horror, of pity. “Shit, I guess I never thought about that.”Mickey sighed and started to pace. “First things first, did you even find a way to help me? To do what I asked?”Sammi nodded. “Yours isn’t as complicated as Ian’s is, but you’re right, I still need my magic to do it. Which means we have to do yours first.”Now Mickey was confused. “But I have to be there for Ian’s, right, I gotta be there?”“Yes, you have to be there.” She pulled out a book of her own. Not as old as the other one but full of unimaginable knowledge and mild danger. “Look, just trust me. I can do yours tonight if you want, or we can postpone Ian’s for another month during the next full moon.”“No,” Mickey said quickly. A car drove by and his eyes watched it, almost waiting for it to slow down. It didn’t. He was just paranoid. “I don’t think Ian can take another month of Noah and his men trying to kill him. I sure as hell know I can’t take that anymore.”“Then we have no choice.” Sammi stated the facts. “I have most of what I need for your ritual, but there is a catch and that’s why I told Mandy and Knox not to tell you until we were alone. It might just change your mind.”Fat chance of that. Mickey would give his leg nut just to be with Ian, not to mention his life and his legs and even his family. But the look on her face made him rethink what he knew, or what he thought he knew. Was it so bad that he’d change his mind and let Ian swim off into the sunset without, forever?“What is it?” Mickey asked. His heart was pounding in his chest.“Magic doesn’t come without a price, Mickey. As I’ve already told you, as Ian’s family has already paid and I will pay it too. You can’t change a life without a balance and let’s just say that shit like this requires a big one.”A horrified look crossed his face. “My family?”She shook her head. “No, my ancestor only used Ian’s family because Ian didn’t love him. He wanted to punish him for his choices and make him pay for it for the rest of his life. That doesn’t have to happen.”“But you’re saying someone has to die?” Mickey asked and she nodded again. “If not my family, then who?”Another car passed by and this time it went slower than the first. Just like that truck right last night with Noah’s men. Probably surveying his house, maybe watching for Ian, or signs he was going to meet Ian. This was never going to stop. Not as long as Noah was alive….Then it hit him.“I know someone who deserves it.” Mickey blurted and from her look, she knew just as he did. She even smiled. “It’s the only way, right? Someone has to die, someone who isn’t even worth the life they have, and that keeps Ian safe when he changes back.”“Are you sure about this?” Samme asked. She wanted to be sure in no uncertain terms that Mickey knew exactly what needed to be done. Ending a life. “This isn’t a game. This is you and I talking about killing someone. About murder.”The anxiety was back, but the fear for Ian’s life overshadowed it to a point of no return. He didn’t care what happened or how many bad guys had to die to protect Ian. If this was the only way. Then it was the only damn way.“Ian is going to change back tomorrow. He’s going to be able to live his life as he did before, meaning he has no reason to come back to where people try to kill him.” Mickey met her eyes, they showed understanding and respect. “If we can’t be together when he changes, then we are both doomed. We won’t make it without each other. Ian will continue to come here for me and more than likely he’ll be killed.”Sammi didn’t speak, she just listened.“Noah has already tried to kill the both of us many times and it won’t stop until he’s dead. He won’t even stay in jail long enough for it to matter and he has people to call that can do his work while he’s in there. If Ian is going to change, which he is, then I want to be with him. I need this.”She knew he was serious and his mind wouldn’t be swayed. “Are you going to tell Ian about this, or the rest of them?”“I thought you said they knew most of it?”“Knox and Mandy know a few details. They know it’s possible and there has to be a sacrifice but that’s not the same as actually knowing and accepting what you’re about to do. You’d have to kill someone and leave your family behind. Don’t you think they need to know that?”Mickey hadn’t thought about it, actually. He was worried about the details and the timing that he didn’t stop to consider that he may not see his family ever again if this happened the way they wanted it to. That was yet another sacrifice he’d have to make, giving up his family for his love. Would they understand? Would they hate him because of it?He hadn’t even talked to Ian about his ritual yet. Did he want to let Ian know about his own? He didn’t want Ian to resent him for killing someone just for them to be together, but being without Ian would be worse than just about anything. No, he didn’t want to tell Ian. No, he wouldn’t. But he did need to tell the rest of them.There was so much to do and so little time for anything.“Yes,” Mickey replied after a moment. His pulse was so loud he could barely hear himself speak. “They need to know what I’m going to do, about the change and what it means.”“I agree.”“But I’m not going to tell Ian.” Sammi’s shock was something he expected. “I don’t want Ian to carry that burden. I want it to be my choice and mine alone. It’s my job to love and protect him and this is how I do both of those things.”The sun was hot above them and they were both sweating buckets and openly talking about murder. It wasn’t the smartest thing but they came to an agreement. An understanding. Mutual respect for each other and love and life.“I need to go in there and tell them. Then maybe we can get together again, alone, here or wherever to go over the details for tonight.” Mickey motioned her closer to the front door. He was already nervous, but determined. “And I’m not going to tell them what has to be done. I don’t want them to try and talk me out of it or stop me.”“Then what will you say?” She asked.Mickey wiped the sweat on his head away with the sleeve of his shirt. It still had Noah’s blood on it from trying to save him. “I’m going to tell them that I am making the change to be with Ian. They will understand even knowing what it means for our family. But the rest will just be between us. Okay?”“You want me to lie?” Sammi asked, surprised. She didn’t want to lie to her friends, or to Knox. “Mickey…”“Yes,” he interrupted. “I’m asking you to lie. Or just don’t tell them all the details. You’re the only one that can help me, Sammi. Please.”Asking someone to lie for you, or in general for your benefit was something Mickey never liked to do. Yes Mandy, Knox, Iggy and Quinn had lied for him a time or two but it was for the greater good, but asking Sammi felt wrong, but not so wrong that he wouldn’t ask. And he did. It was up to her if she could or would.“The only reason I’m going to agree is because I think they might try and stop you. But I have to ask, Mickey. How are you going to get to Noah? He’s in the hospital right now but then it’s a trip to jail and they won’t let you just walk in.”Mickey hadn’t thought about that, but he was so determined to make this work that he would find a way. “I don’t know yet, but I will find some way to get him.”“By tonight?”Fuck. It had to be before tonight. Which meant he needed to get a move on. “Yes, by tonight.”**Everyone was where they left them, sitting or standing around his kitchen and dining room area, waiting for them to return. There were a few more beers then there had been twenty minutes ago when they stepped outside and it was easy to see that they were getting frustrated by being kept out of the loop.Mandy was at the table with the book open in front of her. She was taking notes, making lists of items they had for the ritual, and some they needed and where to find them. Knox was pacing a hole in the floor waiting for Sammi to come back in. Quinn and Iggy were further away, speaking together in hushed tones, secretive almost.Everyone was on edge.All eyes went to them as Mickey entered first, followed by Sammi. She went to stand over by Knox, who embraced her quickly. Mickey walked by everyone knowing they were staring and got a fresh beer before making his way to the front of the group. They were all waiting for him.“We all know what we need to do to make sure Ian’s ritual can happen tomorrow night. What we need, where to get what we don’t have and where to do this at.” They all nodded. “I’m going to see Ian soon to let him know what’s happening.”“What were you guys talking about?” Mandy asked.Mickey took a deep, convincing breath. What he was about to share, Iggy and Quinn didn’t know about. He turned to them, who looked a little confused. “When Mandy and Sammi went to find out about Ian’s change, I asked Sammi to get information on another change, another ritual.”Iggy’s jaw tightened. “What is the other one for?”“I asked her to see if there was a way to change me, so I can be with Ian.”A bomb might have gone off in front of them. Mandy, Knox and Sammi didn’t flinch because they knew already but Iggy and Quinn…Mickey couldn't explain how confused and surprised they were. Almost in disbelief. They looked as if they heard something wrong, or maybe they didn’t hear at all or were confused.“What does that mean?” Quinn asked.Mickey sighed. “It means that I’m going to be like Ian, I’m going to be with Ian. And I don’t know when I’ll see you guys again.”Iggy glared at the rest of them, fuming. “And all of you knew about this?”Mandy nodded, already feeling guilty. “I didn’t know until we pretty much made Sammi tell us. And she didn’t even want to but we didn’t give her much of a choice.”“You should have told me.” Iggy barked and when Mickey went to apologize, he shook his head and looked at Knox. “YOU should have told me.”Knox nodded, ashamed. “I didn’t know until yesterday when we found out what Mickey asked Sammi. I didn’t want to tell anyone over the phone and it’s not really up to me. Mickey didn’t want anyone else to know until he found out one way or another.”Mickey walked closer until he and Iggy were face to face. He almost flinched at the look of betrayal but kept his mindset and faced off against him. “I only told her because I needed to see if it was possible. I didn’t tell them. I didn’t want them to know but it happened anyway.”Iggy huffed, fuming.“I’m not going to sit here and argue with you.” Mickey met those angry eyes with a pair of his own. “I don’t have to justify what I do to you or anyone else. I’m going to be with Ian in any way that I can, and I won’t let anyone stop me. Not you, not Noah, no one.”When Iggy didn’t reply, not even a blink, Mickey continued.“I’m sorry you found out that way, but no one was supposed to know about it. Sammi said it’s possible and I’m going to do it.”Iggy still couldn’t understand. “So, what? We just don’t get to see you again, hmm?”Mickey didn’t have an answer, at least not one that Iggy would accept. “Look, I don’t know what’s going to happen, but I do know that Ian is going to change back tomorrow night and unless I’m like him, we can’t be together. I won’t, no, I can’t be without him. So, I will make the necessary sacrifices for it to happen and whatever happens after….” He shook his head. “I’ll have to deal with that too.”“Look, we don’t have time for this.” Sammi barged into their heated conversation. “We have too much shit to do before we can be ready for any of this. If we don’t make it, we have to wait until the next full moon. Now I don’t know what happens from here until then but I can guess that Noah will be coming after Ian again, or Mickey, or any of us.”Mickey didn’t like the way Iggy looked at him. Like he betrayed his trust. He didn’t. It wasn’t his fault that Sammi spilled the beans about the plan, if you could call it that. He wanted to tell them in his own way when it was the right time. Only now they were pressed for time and it was all out in the open.“We need to keep our heads straight if we hope to pull this off before Noah makes another attempt on Ian’s life, or Mickey’s.”Trying to be the bigger person and not fight with the man who’d been with him all the time, Mickey turned away from Iggy. “Look, I can’t expect anyone to accept what I’m doing or agree with it but it’s happening. I’m going to be with Ian and it’s happening tonight.”Everyone seemed a little shocked that it was happening so soon. Mandy started to cry.“Tomorrow night Sammi will change Ian back into his old self and that means giving up her ability to do any magic of any kind. I need to change before that or I can’t be with Ian.” Mickey met their eyes, some angry, some watery with tears, but he couldn’t take the risk that he and Ian would miss out on their happiness. “I’m not asking you to understand, and I’m sorry for it being so quick. But please…” now he was crying and maybe it softened Iggy up a little so he wasn’t so angry. “I really need you guys to help me. I can’t be without him, I just can’t.”Sammi, Knox and Mandy already understood and he didn’t get any trouble from them. They were already prepared to help him. But now he had to face Iggy, his best friend, his brother for all intents and purposes, and Quinn who had been his friend for many years. He hoped they knew why it was happening and already knew that he couldn’t do it without them. He could, but he really didn’t want to. He needed their love and support.It seemed to take years before the silence would be broken. Mickey knew he probably deserved a punch or two in the face, maybe a good screaming match. And expect it any moment. But it didn’t happen. Instead, Iggy stepped forward, face set in a hard line and Mickey didn’t know what to expect. He expected anger or tears or something, but not Iggy offering him his hand. Mickey’s eyes teared up quickly and he took that outstretched hand and hugged Iggy like it would be the last time he saw him. And maybe it would. He wasn’t sure what he did to deserve people like that, his family, his friends, but he was one of the luckiest bastards in the world.“I understand.” Iggy said when he pulled back, their hands still clasped together. He tightened the grip. It was hard to speak without getting all teary eyed. “It’s just hard for me to accept that when this happens, I might not see you again.”Mickey didn’t fight the tears, but he smiled. “You guys know I love you. You’re my family, you’ve had my back all my life and there is nothing I wouldn’t do for you. But I need you to do this for me. I need this, Igg, and trust me, without Ian being in my life, you wouldn’t want to know me.”Quinn stepped up beside them, his cheeks also wet with tears. He put his hand on top of theirs and squeezed. “If anyone deserves the chance to be happy, it’s you, Mickey.”Mickey pulled him into a tight hug and it was hard to let go. But he did, and didn’t bother to hide the tears of love and appreciation. “Thank you.”“Just tell us what to do, and where to be and we are solid.” Quinn smiled. “We got you.”Iggy nodded, he didn’t even wipe the tears away. “We got you, Mick. Always.”Mickey smiled. “Right now I need to talk to Ian. I need to tell him about tomorrow but I’m not telling him about by choice and I really hope you guys don’t either. I don’t want him trying to talk me out of it.” He met Iggy’s teary blue eyes in a way that told him he needed to talk to him alone, and Iggy knew all too well and nodded. “Right now we need to help get the shit we need and get a plan together for Ian. Sammi and I will take care of what I need.”“And when is that?” Iggy asked again.Mickey met his eyes. “Tonight. And I don’t know what will happen or when I’ll be like Ian but we continue with tomorrow night and Ian’s ritual. He’s going to be made whole again if it kills me. We get our shit together and he will not be let down.”“We are going to get started right away.” Mandy promised. She hadn’t stopped crying. “If you guys need anything for tonight please ask and I’ll help as much as I can.”With a sad smile, Mickey walked to her and braced for impact. She literally jumped into his arms and hugged him so tightly he couldn’t breathe. He didn’t mind but cherished the contact. She had always done so much for him, with him, and had always been by his side. Now he would change and didn’t know when he’d see her again, if he ever would. It would be harder for her than it would be for him, or maybe it would be the other way around.“Thank you.” Mickey held her as she cried. He kissed her cheek, rubbed her back and really hoped she’d understand. “I love you.”She sobbed. “I love you too, Mickey.”***After all the tears and faded anger, Mickey once again met Iggy’s eyes and together they walked outside, leaving everyone else to talk and scramble for information and items they needed. It would be a long couple of days but he knew they’d be able to get it done. Once they were outside and away from everyone else, Iggy pressed him for intel.“What are you not telling me?” Iggy asked. “What are you not telling them?”Mickey rubbed over his face, then his hair, he gripped it like he wanted to pull it out before he let go. He was nervous, worried they wouldn’t be able to pull it off before their deadlines but they had to. There was no other choice. It was now or never and they couldn’t wait another month.“There is something that needs to happen before I can make the change.” Mickey couldn’t stop pacing, he wasn’t sure how this was going to go. There was no telling with Iggy. “And I would do it myself but it’s a matter of timing and for me to be in two places at once won’t be possible.”“Mickey,” Iggy waited until Mickey returned his gaze. “What is it?”It was now or never.“Sammi said there needs to be a sacrifice, a payment of sorts like when Ian’s family got killed so he could change.” He shook his head when Iggy began to panic at what that might mean. “No, it’s not us or anyone we care about but it doesn’t change anything. There needs to be a sacrifice and there is no way around it.”“Anyone in mind?”Mickey nodded. “Ian and I will never be safe if Noah is out there hunting us. So, we kill two birds with one stone.” He almost smiled when that surprised look crossed Iggy’s face again. “We get rid of him and we are safe, we use him as a sacrifice and I can be with Ian. It’s a win win.”Iggy exhaled deeply, trying quickly to absorb all the information because they didn’t have a lot of time to think or plan or second guess. “So, we just kill him?”“It’s not that simple.” Mickey shook his head. “It’s going to be only Sammi and I when this happens, right? But Noah needs to die at the same time…” he met those blue eyes and saw the instant that it clicked, when he realized. “Do you understand?”“You want me to do it.” Iggy said and it wasn’t a question. “How? He’s in lock up.”Mickey nodded. “Yes, he is but I know you know at least one or two of those cops personally and can get in. And it can’t just be anyone, Iggy, it has to be someone connected to me, like blood relation so the power that comes from it can be channeled to me, to us when the change happens.”They both knew it had to be him. There was no way that Mandy could do something like that, not and live with herself afterwards. Iggy was the only one who could be trusted to do this, who could help change the course of his life. It had to be him.“Mandy can’t do this.” Mickey said just to let him know what his only other option was. And it wasn’t an option. “I would happily do it but I can’t be in two places at once.”“I’ll do it.” Iggy said at last. “But you guys are going to help me get in there. If I have my guy get me in and then when he finds out Noah is dead, that’s my ass. I need as many cops out of that station as possible. Then I need those cameras to be kicked out so I don’t get caught.”Mickey nodded. This was all so complicated. Every step in their plan had a million steps before the next one. It was a hassle, but the last thing they needed was Iggy getting popped for murder. Even if Noah deserved it. It needed to be planned carefully.“Okay, Mandy can hack the cameras…”Iggy shook his head. “Not Mandy. I know she can but she won’t do it without asking why and I can’t tell her that.” He rubbed across the stubble on his jaw, clearly stressed. “Okay, I have a few people that can help, Colin being one of them. We know a guy who’s a boss at the tech shit, his name is V.”“V?” Mickey asked. “The fuck kinda name is that?”“No clue, but he can handle that shit like a master.” Iggy sent both Colin and V a text for them to meet him up the road at a bar. They needed to talk. “I need a burner phone so mine can’t be tracked, and I need to talk with them about this.”“I know Colin is family, but are you sure he won’t squeal? Or this V guy.” Mickey asked. They needed to keep this shit under lockdown or it would be conspiracy to commit murder and that’s a higher charge.“Yeah, they’re good for it, man. I’ve done plenty of illegal shit with them at my back. They can handle it.”“I have an extra burner phone in my room. Saved it for when I needed it but we need it. What else do you need?” Mickey asked.“Well, like I said, I need all those cops to be gone. The only thing that’ll make them scatter like rats would be to call in a bomb threat, maybe to a hospital or a school. There will be a guard still there but I can get past him pretty quickly especially with Colin helping.”Mickey couldn’t hide his surprise. That was next level illegal and probably only something Iggy could pull off with any kind of grace. It was risky and an awful thing to do but it had to be done. “You want me to call it in?”“I was going to see if you could but V can instead. He can make it seem real and they definitely can’t track him. The only thing I need from you is to tell me the exact time you need this to happen. I need to get in, get to him and kill him. Sometimes it takes a while for people to die.”“I’ll have to double check with Sammi on that but I’ll get you the info way before it’s time to do this. I gotta go see Ian and tell him about tomorrow night and get a few things Sammi needs from me.” His brain skipped over what Iggy had said about people dying but it just occurred to him what he actually said. Had Iggy killed people before? He wasn’t sure he wanted to know. So he didn’t ask. “Look, I wouldn’t ask you to do this if there wasn’t another option.”Iggy nodded. “I wouldn’t trust anyone else with this, Mickey. Yeah, it’s some serious shit but that fucker deserves it and so do you. You should get what you want.”Mickey felt the tears below the surface but they didn’t fall. It was just the appreciation and the love he felt that made him a little emotional. He offered Iggy his hand and pulled him into a tight hug. They didn’t pull away that quickly like they usually did, they held it for a good minute longer before they parted. Iggy was smiling.They parted ways without another word. Mickey went back towards the house but Iggy took off, he had a lot to do in a small amount of time. Mickey went back in and again all eyes were on him. Sammi asked with her eyes and Mickey gave her a curt nod. They also noticed that Iggy didn’t come back inside with him.“Where’s Iggy?” Quinn asked.“He had a few things to do but he’ll meet back up with us at some point.” Mickey didn’t lie per say, but it still didn’t sit well. “Okay, I’m going to meet Ian and get him up to speed, you guys all know what’s what?” They all nodded. “Okay cool, just let me know if something happens and keep your eyes open. Noah’s guys seem to be all over the place.”“Heard that.” Mandy replied with an eye roll.Grabbing his keys, Mickey was out the door in seconds, only for Sammi to follow him out. He looked back. “What’s up?”“Did you get it sorted out?” She asked.Mickey nodded. “Yeah, just get what you need to get and we can do this tonight.”“Good, and we don’t need a lot for this, a few things I need to get from my apartment and get it all ready. I know you can’t get to Noah, but we will need his blood.” She pulled out a small vial from her pocket. “I don’t have much because I had to get it off the floor while no one was looking.”The vile was almost half way full. He looked at it and felt a little sick. “You need anything from me?”“I will also need your blood when the time comes.”“How much?” Mickey asked. But when she didn’t answer all the way, he became a little nervous. “How much, Sammi?”She sighed. “I won’t lie to you, it’s going to be a lot.”“How much is a lot?” He asked again. She was holding back for a reason. “Hmm?”She didn’t want to tell him. It didn’t make that nervous feeling go away, it amped it up by a thousand. She couldn’t meet his eyes for very long and she seemed more uncomfortable than he was.“How much?” He asked again and this time he sounded a little mean, even to him.Sammi sighed but finally answered. “So much that you’ll think you’re dying, but there is no choice. That’s how it has to be.”There really was no choice. He would do it, without hesitation. If he could kill someone, or order a hit, he would give her whatever she needed to make this happen.“I’ll call you with more details.” Sammi said softly and walked away.If anything could kill him, it would be the stress.**Mickey called his phone that he gave to Ian and told him to meet him down by the marina, the one that housed his boat. Ian said it would take twenty minutes to get there and Mickey arrived ten minutes ahead of schedule. It gave him time to sit there and think, to stare at the waves, to imagine never stepping foot on land again.It didn’t bother him, not really. He’d been on the water for most of his life. He had a home, a car, but he barely used them. He was always working. He wouldn’t miss the traffic, the cell phone calls or filing his taxes at the beginning of each year. He wouldn’t have to deal with half of what he already did, if he was with Ian. That’s the only thing that mattered. Everything else was material things he didn’t need.And with Noah gone, Ian could show him a life he always dreamed of. A life of peace, of love. A life with Ian.It didn’t take very long and Mickey could see Ian’s head peeking out above the water just under the dock. He’d left his phone, wallet and keys in the Jeep so when Ian got there, Mickey climbed off the dock and slipped into the water next to Ian. Ian came to him in a big hug, which Mickey returned kindly. He held him so tightly, it felt like he’d never be able to hug him again.“I didn’t think you were going to call.” Ian admitted as he moved back to look into his eyes. “It’s been hours.”Mickey nodded. “I’m sorry, Ian. It’s been hectic since we last saw each other. But I do have some good news.” He watched a glimmer of doubt cross Ian’s face, fear, but also happiness. “Tomorrow morning will be the last time you ever have to go through the change again.”Tears came to Ian’s eyes. Mickey couldn’t help but cry as well. Ian hugged him yet again but this one was different, he was sobbing, holding onto him like if he let go, he’d float away. Mickey held him, rubbing up and down his back. Of course what he said told Ian everything he needed to know.“It’s almost over, baby.” Mickey assured him, whispering it into his ear. Ian seemed to hold him tighter and cry harder. “It’ll all be over tomorrow night.”For a while they didn’t talk, or move or do anything. Mickey just held him, softly touching his back, his neck, trying to give him the time to process. It wasn’t just giving Ian information, it was literally life changing. It took a minute, or thirty, for Ian to realize that in one day, he would be free. Finally, after so many years in agony, he would be free. Mickey didn’t move until Ian pulled back. He was crying, but smiling.“I can’t believe you found it.”Mickey shook his head. “Ian, I’d like to take credit for it, but I didn’t do this. Sammi did, Mandy and Knox.”Ian shook his head. “Without you, without you knowing them and loving me, I’d be like this until I die. This is because of you, Mickey and you don’t know how grateful I am, how I will be forever.”That, he couldn’t argue with. So he didn’t.“You saved me, Mickey.” Ian smiled but the tears kept coming. “I don’t know how I got so lucky to be the one you love, but I am.”Mickey smiled as well. He had wiped his tears away but felt more just waiting for their turn to fall. “However it happened or why doesn’t matter, Ian. It’s happening tomorrow night. We have to get a few things together first but they’re working on that now. I have a few things to do after I leave here so I probably won’t see you tonight, which means keep your head down. Noah’s guys are still stalking my place.”“Just tell me what I need to do.”“For now, just lay low. Keep my phone on you so I can tell you more when Sammi tells me the specifics. I know it has to be under a full moon, which is tomorrow and she needs a few things from you.”Ian’s eyes narrowed. “Like what?”“She needs a few of your scales, one from when you change from day to night, and a little of your blood to link us all together when it happens.” Mickey waited a moment, not wanting Ian to worry, but he had to tell him the risks. “Look, Sammi says this shit is very delicate. Everything needs to be absolutely perfect when we do it.”“Or what?” Ian asked, curious.Mickey hesitated a moment, trying to find the right words without inciting panic. But it came down to lying or telling the truth and he told it. “Or we could all die.”Ian’s eyes widened in fear, his mouth opened in shock.“The risk is that if something happens that isn’t planned or something goes wrong, all of us, whoever is linked, which at this point is all of us, can die.” Mickey gave him a few minutes to process the information because it was deep, it was heavy and would be the end or the beginning of their future. But he has to say one more thing. “And like what happened before, there is a price to pay.”Ian backed up in the water, hands up like he was defending himself. He was panicking. “No, Mickey. I didn’t know what that meant before but I do now and there is no way I’m letting that happen again. I can’t do it, I won’t do it.”Mickey held up his hands, almost in surrender. “It’s not what you think, Ian. I wouldn’t be here if someone had to die and I hope you know that.” It took a second for Ian to calm down, he could see his past flashing before his eyes, the death of his entire family, the panic. But Ian was listening. “The only reason the price was your family's life, was because that asshole wanted you to suffer. It didn’t have to be like that and it’s not this time.”Tears kept flowing, but Ian nodded. “Then what is?”“Aside from us dying if we get this wrong, Sammi will lose her magic.” Mickey replied honestly and Ian just kept on crying. It was too much for him, but also the only way he could be free. “The cost is her magic. It will be the last time she has it and it will be drained from her.”Ian shook his head in a panic. “I can’t ask that of her, Mickey. She doesn’t even know me. Why the fuck would she want to help, to give up something so important for me?!”Mickey took Ian’s hands in his own, stopping them from flailing all over the place. “Because her ancestor, the guy that did that to you, was her family. She wants to make this right, Ian. She wants to right the wrong that happened. She knows what it means and she wants to do it.”“It’s not her fault what he did to me, what I did to myself.” Ian stated almost angrily. “What happened is all my fault and it doesn’t matter how anyone else wants to see it. But I don’t want to be responsible for taking something so amazing from someone innocent like her. She doesn’t deserve this.”“Well neither do you.” Mickey snapped back. “This is the only solution and if you say no, then you’re stuck in this hell forever and I know you don’t want that. She doesn’t either. She wants to help and you want your life back. We know what the cost is, and we are doing it.”It didn’t really matter what Ian said, unless he refused directly, they were doing it. Ian would change and be who he wanted to be. Sammi would take the hit and lose her magic and they would all risk their lives yet again for Ian. It would happen and everyone would live happily ever after.“Look,” Mickey said directly when Ian wouldn’t say anything. “We are all prepared to do this for you. It shouldn’t have happened in the first place but it did and we can fix it. She will be at peace knowing she could write a wrong that someone in her family was responsible for. She doesn’t have to do this, or anything else, she’s doing it because she can’t live knowing what happened. She had an option to fix it and she can, and she will.”“I just don’t want to cause anyone anymore pain.” Ian covered his face, maybe hiding or wiping away the tears. “I want this to end, yes, but I learned my lesson on putting myself before everyone else.”“Baby, nothing bad is going to happen.” Mickey assured him and peeled Ian’s hands away from his face. He looked so innocent, so sad. “Everyone who is helping us is doing it out of their own free will. They’re not being forced to help you, or me. But they are because they care about us and want to help us fix this. I trust that if it’s too much for them, that they’ll tell us. They haven’t yet. That’s all I need to know that what's happening is the right thing to do.”Ian didn’t reply, maybe because he didn’t know what to say, or he wasn’t sure if it mattered. You couldn’t change the choices of others, no matter what you said or to whom. They’d do what they want or nothing at all. The freedom of choice was something no one could take away from anyone else. Mickey understood that, and maybe Ian did too.“I want to hear it from them, directly.” Ian finally said after a minute of silence, or thought. “I want to make sure that they know what’s happening and who it's for, otherwise I won’t do it.”Mickey could understand why Ian wanted them to say it directly, as assurance so that if what happened actually happened, he would know in no uncertain terms that they decided to do it of their own free will. That’s the only way Ian could accept it and if that’s what it took then he would make it happen.“I can ask them to meet us, but it can’t be a very long conversation.” Mickey conceded. “I have people watching my house and who knows what’s happening with Noah. They can tell you in person their views and decisions but then they need to leave.”Ian nodded. “That’s all I ask.”Mickey didn’t have time to waste, not today or tomorrow. He had things in motion, things that wouldn’t wait and couldn’t. If Ian needed this, it would have to be now or not at all. “I need to go to my Jeep and call them. We really don’t have time to do it later on.”“Is here safe?” Ian asked, looking around.Honestly, Mickey didn’t know if anywhere was safe. But Noah was behind bars and they all had weapons. It was as safe as they could make it. “It will have to do. We have guns and we are always being followed. We can handle it while we are here but after you need to forget this place and take off like last night. Lay low, like bottom of the ocean low and wait for me to call you.”“Okay.” Ian nodded. “I’ll be under, just let me know when you come back.” He leaned in and kissed Mickey's lips. “ I love you.”Mickey returned the kiss, then his thumb smoothed over Ian’s bottom lip. “I love you, too. It shouldn’t take long.” With a nod from Ian, Mickey swam to the end of the marina and pulled himself up.It didn’t take long to run to his Jeep, get the towel to wrap around his hips and grab his burner phone, Ian still had his. He called Knox directly because he knew he’d be right in the middle of it all. He answered on the fourth ring.“Hey, man, you okay?” Knox asked.“Yeah, I’m okay.” Mickey replied. “Look, Ian won’t go through with this shit until he talks to everyone. Are the rest of them there?”“Well Iggy still hasn’t come back but the rest of us are here.”Mickey nodded. He knew why Iggy was gone. “Good, can you put me on speaker?” He asked.“Yeah, hold on.”It only took a few minutes on hold but Mickey waited. He could hear Knox walking, then muffled voices of them all talking before there was a click to let him know that speakerphone had been activated.“Can everyone hear me?” Mickey asked and he was met with a bunch of “Yessss” in reply. “Good, look, Ian wants us all to meet so he can make sure that what everyone is doing is their choice.”“He doesn’t trust us?” Mandy asked.“The last time he trusted someone to do this, his entire family died and he was cursed for a long ass time. I can’t blame him for wanting to hear it from everyone.” Mickey rubbed the salt from his eyes, he kept a good lookout of who came and went from the marina since he arrived. “I know we all have a bunch of shit to do, and not much time but I need everyone to get down here at the marina where my boat is docked so Ian can hear it for himself. It’ll take ten minutes tops and we can all go back to what we were doing.”There were a number of replies from everyone but they all said yes. Mickey gave them fifteen minutes to showup and they did within the time frame. He didn’t want to keep Ian in one place for longer than necessary. It was dangerous but they were at a point where everything was too damn dangerous to keep going. Yet, they did. They kept on.Mickey waved them down as they all arrived in Sammi’s dark SUV. Knox was driving and pulled up beside his Jeep. Everyone got out and met him at the dock. Mandy hugged him, but all he got from everyone else were smiles. That was all he could manage at the moment. It had been a long couple of months and it was starting to show.“Thanks for coming.” Mickey said and expressed his gratitude. “Ian just needs to hear it from you guys so he doesn’t think anyone is doing anything they don’t want to be doing.”He was really speaking to Sammi directly but he just told them all. He knew she was for real, just as she knew it. But Ian didn’t want anyone else to suffer for him, and he needed to hear it from her.Mickey led them down the dock where Ian was hiding deep under the water. He grabbed a rock he’d picked up while waiting for them to arrive and tossed it into the water. Minutes later, Ian surfaced, only his eyes peeking from the water before he realized he would be safe to come up. And he did. Mickey smiled, hoping Ian wouldn’t be too nervous about so many people being around.“Hi.” Ian said shyly, not wanting to come all the way out of the water. “I’m sorry if this is inconvenient.”Sammi smiled and knelt down on the deck to get as close as she could. She offered her hand and within seconds Ian took it and squeezed. “I know what you must be thinking, but please trust me, Ian. I want to do this for you. I want to set this right and bring about a new balance into both of our worlds. I know the risks and the sacrifices I have to make, but if you’d have been taken care of in the first place, none of this would have happened.”Ian smiled, eyes watering. “If I knew what would happen to my family, I never would have agreed. I had a choice, even when I didn’t know the outcome. But I don’t want anyone…” he looked at all of them standing side by side. “To do something against their will.”“Ian, you don’t have to worry.” Mandy smiled. “We all know what’s at stake here and we are still going to do it. You deserve to be happy and free, just as Mickey does.”Ian shut his eyes and bowed his head in respect. He couldn’t stop the tears. “I never thought I’d meet humans that cared about more than just themselves. I thought I got lucky with Mickey loving me, but I’m twice as lucky as I thought. He knows amazing humans that care even when they shouldn’t.”Mickey smiled and watched as Ian beamed up at them in happiness, in love and acceptance and knew just how lucky he was personally to have these people as his friends, his family. He couldn’t have asked for a better family.“Trust us, Ian.” Sammie gripped his hand tightly. She was leaning far over the dock and she might fall, but didn’t really care at the moment. She kept their connection. “I know it’s hard for you to trust anyone, especially me considering it was someone in my family to do this to you.”Ian closed his eyes, crying.“I can’t change what happened to you, and nothing can take away your pain or bring your family back, but I can do this for you. I can make your life what it should have been, free and released from any pain you feel. If that’s not a good reason to give away my magic, I don’t know what is.”“I wish it didn’t have to be this way.” Ian said through his tears and squeezed her hand tighter. “But thank you for everything.”Sammi’s eyes were watery as well but she smiled before she dropped Ian’s hand. “I don’t need much from you, a scale or two and some of your blood but only a little, I promise. And it needs to happen tomorrow night, so we have a little extra power that might save our asses.”“I’ll do whatever you want, and be wherever you need me to be.” Ian promised.“Good.” Sammi nodded. “Mickey we can’t stay long. I have a bunch of stuff I need to get ready.”Mickey met her eyes and nodded, knowing all too well how little time they had. The hours of the day lessened, getting them closer to the time they needed. Mickey was ready for this, he just hoped Ian accepted the new him. He hoped Ian still loved him.Everyone gave a little wave to them and walked back to their cars. Mickey stayed with Ian, but he had a few things to do as well. “You believe me now?”Ian smiled. “I’m sorry. It’s just so hard to believe. I’ve dreamt of this so many times, of being back to who I’m supposed to be. I’m just sorry it keeps us apart.”Mickey nodded but he knew Ian was anxious and afraid over something that was a sure thing. They would be together all the same and soon Ian would see that. “We will always be together, Ian. You don’t need to worry about that.”“Good.” Ian replied.“Look,” Mickey bent down so he could take Ian’s hand. “I have a few things I need to do. I gotta go into town.”“Will I see you tonight?” Ian asked.Mickey shook his head. “If I can it’ll be late.” He knew Ian couldn’t understand what he needed to do and why they might not see each other but it wasn’t like Mickey could tell him. Ian looked uncertain but nodded.Sammi hadn’t said what would happen after the change. Mickey still didn’t know when he would actually change and how he could be there for Ian tomorrow if he did. Maybe when he met with her later on she could tell him, give him a little more details.“I’m sorry.” Mickey kissed his hand. “I’ll call you when I’m done and if you’re not too tired I can see you.”Ian nodded. “Okay, just be careful out there. I love you.”“I love you, Ian.” Mickey's heart gave a happy little flutter. He squeezed his hand for a second longer before he pulled away and walked down the dock to his Jeep.Mickey needed to get some stuff for Ian’s change, then check in with Iggy about his progress, then Sammi. It would be a busy evening.***Mickey was in town, like he told Ian, meeting with his lawyer. He sat in a nice office that everyone else that saw him knew he didn’t belong in. He didn’t have a suit, was tattooed in various places and everyone eyed him like the criminal he used to be. It didn’t matter now he was a semi successful man with assets and a hefty amount of money in the bank. He wasn’t like them.This visit was almost over. He was just waiting for his lawyer to come back with the correct paperwork so he could sign it and they could have it notarized and legal. It seemed to take hours but the door opened and Lilian Monroe walked in with a stack of papers, a witness and they both took a seat opposite him.“Sorry that took so long Mister Milkovich, we didn’t anticipate how many asserts you actually had. We just wanted to make sure everything is in order the way you want it.”Mickey could have rolled his eyes at that backhanded comment but he didn’t. He really didn’t have time to waste. Of course they’d think he was wasting both their time on this, but boy they were wrong. Now they looked like assholes and he was okay with letting it be.“I just want to sign what I have to.” Mickey wiggled his fancy pen he jacked from the office out front. He’d been clicking it religiously as he waited. “So?”Lilian nodded and she handed him the first set of papers. “If you want to read through it, you can, but we already went through all of this before.”Mickey nodded, but still quickly scanned the papers. It seemed like it was all there so he sighed, dated and initialed at the highlighted lines. He moved it to Lilian who did the same at the line under his name, then she moved it to the witness, another attorney who did the same as they’d done. Then she used a nifty stamp to officiate it.Another stack of papers were pushed in front of him. He knew this would be time consuming but definitely important if he was about to disappear off the face of the earth. He did as before, scanned it, signed it and let them do the same. Sign, pass, stamp. Over three times and all different stacks of paper.“Okay, this last one I want you to read carefully.” Lillian pushed a single paper towards him. “Again it’s what you and I already talked about, but this is literally your life here. I don’t want a single misspelled word or name or numbers on addresses or accounts.”Mickey took his time reading every word, everything he’d already told her. He looked for mistakes, off numbers, but didn’t find any. He set it down and sighed it, his life on a piece of paper, and slid it back to here where she signed the same and passed it over for yet another signature and a stamp.And it was done.He let out a deep, almost shaky breath and noticed his hands were shaking. He made a fist so they didn’t see it and acted like it never happened. “So, that’s it right? Everything is legal and set in stone?”Lilian nodded. Her assistant stood up and went to the copier. “Yes, Mister Milkovich. We will make you a copy for your records and if there is a problem with anyone trying to go against it, you should know by now that I don’t like to lose.”With a smile, Mickey nodded. He wasn’t worried about the paperwork. Not really. He was worried about the change. About uprooting his entire life, all he worked hard for, just to leave it behind. “I’m not worried, Lilian. I know you’re good for it. And I’m sure in about a week you’ll have some people up here with those papers to make good on them. I just don’t want any trouble when it happens.”The nice lady who never said a word handed him all the copied papers, an entire folder full of them, then smiled quickly and left them alone. There was a strange silence and Mickey could see her struggling with something. She wanted to ask him why, but couldn’t muster up the nerve. So he did it for her.“Why is all this happening in a week opposed to years, or in the strange event of my death?” Mickey asked and she looked at him with surprised eyes but nodded. “Because nothing can be predicted, not lately. I want everything handled in case something happens.”“You could tell me in confidence.” Lillian assured him. “Even in the event of your death, or say a disappearance, I’m legally obligated to be retained as your lawyer, your family's lawyer. I would never be able to disclose the reasoning.She wanted to know and he almost wanted to tell her but he never knew who he could trust with certain information, especially where Ian is concerned. No, he would keep it a secret til he died.“I’m sorry,” Mickey apologized and stood up, she followed, smoothing down her skirt. He offered her his hand, which she shook. “I’m grateful for all the help, but I really can’t say one way or another.”“I understand.”Mickey grabbed his file and stopped when he made it to the door. “Thank you for all you’ve done.”l“It was a pleasure.”Without another word from either of them, Mickey walked out of the office for the last time. When he got to his Jeep, he kicked his head back and closed his eyes. It was all coming full circle. And it was a lot to handle. He sat that way for a good fifteen minutes and when he opened his eyes, the sky had already shifted, the day growing older. He really was running out of time.Pulling his prepaid phone from his pocket, Mickey dialed Iggy’s burner number. It rang for a few times before he picked up. “Hey, how’s it going?”Mickey sighed. “Just getting my ducks in a row. How about you, you getting it all set up?”“Yeah, but I still need to know a time or this shit won’t matter.”“Fuck. Let me call you back.” Mickey hung up without a goodbye and called Sammi. She also answered after a few rings. “Hey, I don’t have time for a long conversation right now, I’ll have to call you back but I have Iggy on the phone and he needs to know what time we are doing this. Like now.”“The days are longer because it’s summer, so we have to wait till the moon is fully in the sky to harness the power.” Sammi hummed a little as her brain scanned the hidden information. “I’d say about 12:30 AM. That’s when we need to be out there, already started in the ritual. Noah would need to…ya know, about five minutes after that and no later.”“Okay so about 12:40. Thanks. I’ll call back in about five, ten minutes. We can figure out where to meet.”“Just meet me at the bar on 9th. I’ll have everything we need to go over this.”“Okay thanks . See you there.” Mickey hung up and dialed Iggy back. He didn’t waste any time when he answered. “Hey, Sammi said it needs to go down at 12:40 and not a moment later. The ritual will have already started.”“Okay, that helps. It should take more than a few minutes either way so I’ll plan ahead.”Mickey really wanted to know but he didn’t want to know. He knew Iggy could get it done, but the way he handled it…how easy it seemed, how he wasn’t bothered by it. It meant something. Iggy had a side that Mickey didn’t even know existed. It was a little scary, but Iggy was his family. Always.“And you’ve got the rest handled right? How to get in, how to not get caught by a house of cops?” Mickey asked.“Yeah, I’ve got it covered, Mickey. It’s all in place. I just needed the exact time.” Iggy smiled when Mickey huffed. He was nervous. “Don’t think too much on it, man. You know that bastard deserves what’s coming.”There was no denying that. Noah was a bastard. Through and through. But knocking Noah’s lights out and taking that light forever were two very different things. It wasn’t like he cared about what happened to Noah, hell, it was his idea, but he’d be a monster if it still didn’t bother him.“Yeah, he does. But still. Just cover your ass okay? I don’t want you getting locked up for this.”“Trust me, it’s airtight.”“Good,” Mickey started his Jeep and pulled out into traffic. “Look, I’m meeting Sammi right now to talk about what exactly is going to happen. I need to make sure this doesn’t fuck with tomorrow night. Ian needs this.”“Yeah, he does and I’m sure it’ll be fine. She wouldn’t have planned it if it would mess anything up.” Iggy replied. “I gotta go. Still have a few things to put together but don’t worry. I got you.”Mickey stopped at a red light, waiting for it to change. “Yeah, I know. Thank you, man. For this.”“Family is family.” Iggy laughed before he ended the call.It didn’t take long to get to the bar on 9th street. The sign above the door said Deuces. Mickey parked then walked into the darkened bar. It was like every other bar in the middle of the day, dark and stale with half the chairs taken. Peanut shells crunched under his boots as he scanned the tables. Sammi was in the back corner, far away from anyone else. They needed a little privacy and the occupants that took over the rest of the bar wouldn’t pay them much attention.Sammi sat at one of the larger tables with a bunch of papers scattered everywhere. She had a glass of water but wasn’t drinking it. She was already halfway through the beer when he sat down. She looked up a little startled, like she forgot she asked him there, but it faded with a nervous laugh.“Sorry, I was reading. Didn’t know you were here already.”“I wasn’t far away, just taking care of some loose ends.” Mickey flagged down the bartender for a beer. She returned short with an over eager smile just for him. He took the beer but didn’t return the look, she seemed a little disappointed but he didn’t care. “Iggy is taking care of the other part for us. Said it would happen when you need it to and not to worry.”That seemed to put her a little at ease. “Good. Then we have all we need for this. We just have to wait for the right time.”The time was right now and Mickey drained the entire beer within seconds. Another one magically appeared in front of him and he drank half of that before he stopped. He’d been under so much stress lately, Ian, Noah, getting shot, shooting Noah. Getting arrested. It was a lot for any one person to take but he was taking it, for Ian, for himself.“I don’t really care about the details, not the items or words or anything like that.” Mickey admitted honestly. Sammi laughed. “I just want to know what happens after. How long till it happens and how can I be there for Ian?”Sammi sighed tiredly. She too drank her beer and received another right after. “The change will happen, Mickey. You will be changed that night.”Mickey sighed. If he had a fucking tail how would he help Ian?“I know it sounds impossible, but it's not. You will change, yes, but you will be you until you step into the water.”That got his attention.“After it happens, the second you touch the ocean, the water, you will change. Just like Ian had legs when he touched the ground for the first time. That’s how you can be there for Ian. That’s how you can both get what you want.”Sammi pushed an old drawing towards him. It was faded, almost hard to make out and he was worried the page would poof into dust when he touched it, but the drawing was of the change. Or a rough version of it. Of Ian. It was almost like a comic book, one picture said one thing, then another picture showed another.This one showed Ian as a mermaid in the water, the next showed Ian encased in a bunch of light, the next Ian had one leg as he touched the sand. And the last one, Ian had two legs, sitting on the beach. And it was Ian, the color of the tail was the same, as was the hair color. Although old and faded, it was Ian.“Imagine something like this,” she pointed to the rough drawing. “But in reverse. You start on land, then the water. Trust me, this is as crazy as I thought it was when I heard it the first time as a child. I didn’t believe it could actually happen, but it can’t. Ian is proof of that.”It was crazy. He was fucking crazy. But when it was there in front of his eyes, Ian changed every day. Now he would as well, almost dying to get it done.“If this shit happens on the beach too, I need to be away from the water then.” Mickey pushed his empty glass away. He felt almost buzzed already because he didn’t know the last time he ate anything. His belly was running on empty. “We can’t mess with Ian’s chance.”“And we won’t. We can be on the beach but away from the water. Like the moon, the water holds power and I’ll use any help I can get for this.”“You gonna be able to get it done?” Mickey asked, remembering when she said she had no real experience. He’d been so caught up with all the other shit he’d been dealing with and forgot that little bit of knowledge. “You think you have the power?”Sammi nodded quickly, but was doubting showing. “I speak the language, I know the words front and back. I will have everything we need to make this happen. I don’t see a reason why it wouldn’t.”“I want to go somewhere else for Ian’s. Another island or something like that. Far away from any of Noah’s guys. Then sneaking up on us outside my house while this is happening and we are all dead.”“That’s a good idea.” Sammi agreed. “And yours?”Mickey shook his head. “No, mine is as secret as it comes. And it’s less dangerous. Ian wants me to see him after.”Sammi shook her head. “That’s not a good idea, Mickey.”“Why not?”“What did I just tell you about the water?”He couldn’t be near it after, not even to see Ian. Fuck. “Damn it, I told him I’d meet him because I didn’t know about it.”“I know it will be hard for him not to see you but it’s for the best, Mickey. Can’t have two of you out there like that. It leaves us twice as exposed.” Sammi explained. She put her hand on Mickey’s arm. “And when you see him tomorrow, you still have to be very careful.”Mickey couldn’t imagine seeing Ian and not touching him. He hasn’t been able to keep his distance since they met. It was almost a compulsion to touch Ian, to be close to him. It would be almost impossible to stop, to keep away but if he didn’t see Ian at least in the morning, Ian would know something was wrong.“I have to see him, Sammi.” He was already suspicious when I left today after you guys saw him. If I don’t see him at least in the morning, he’s going to know something is wrong or I’m hiding something.”Sammi understood because she nodded. Mickey had to see him. There was no choice and there shouldn’t be. He wanted to see Ian. He missed him after running around all day and night trying to make it happen.Instead of taking off right away like he’d been doing all day, Mickey decided to stay and talk with her a little more. He wanted to look at what she had, the script, even when he couldn’t read it, the drawings. Some looked like those you’d find in a cave. He ordered a large cheeseburger and fries with more beer and to his surprise, she ordered the same.While they ate and drank, they went over the strange words, he touched a few of the crystals she took out of her bag. To him they just looked like shiny rocks, like stuff you’d find along the beach, just in different shapes and colors and were a lot bigger. He couldn’t imagine a few rocks and some weird words would have power. But they always said power is in the eyes of the beholder. Maybe it was true.It didn’t take away the stress and anxiety he felt, but seeing what she was putting together, working on it and sharing it with him just made him want to get to it sooner. That way he could just worry about Ian and risk everyone’s lives to make his better.The evening was fading into night, the sun slipping lower by the hour. Mickey and Sammi left the bar together, feeling full, but not any less worried. They gave each other a little hug, and parted ways with plans to meet at the lighthouse when it was time. He wanted to be somewhere that, to him, seemed sacred. That was the first place he went to find Ian.It seemed like a lifetime ago, almost drowning at the beach. See Ian. Trying to get such a wonderful creature to talk to him. Now he loves him. Mickey didn’t know why he’d been so lucky to have found love, found Ian, but whatever it was, he wasn’t going to give it up. No matter what.Tonight was the night. Tonight his entire future would be based on nothing but love. Tonight, Mickey would become a mermaid.
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The Devil’s TriangleChapter 21- Dark of Night After meeting Sammi and having lunch, Mickey drove back to his apartment. It was finally empty after having everyone over there like it was home base. Inside was still messy, covered in blood and towels and random beer bottles. Without knowing if this would actually be the last time he was home, he started to pick up. He started with the easier stuff, bottles and cans into the trash, trash taken out, their dishes from that night. Then he moved to the bedroom, he stripped the bed, almost sadly because every time he thought about that bed, he pictured his time with Ian. He put clean sheets on the bed, dumped the lube and whatever sexual toys he had into another trash can. Last thing he wanted his family to find when he was gone was all that shit.Mickey put the papers from his attorney into the small safe he had in the closet along with a note to just about everyone he cared about. Only Mandy had the code to get in and he knew she would eventually. He cleaned the bathroom, vacuumed, mopped and finally after about two hours of cleaning he got to work cleaning up Noah’s blood. It seemed to be everywhere and hard to get rid of since so much time had passed and the blood was dry. That itself took another hour.With the house clean, Mickey grabbed a beer from the fridge and sat down at the table. It was hard to believe that he was leaving, that he may never see his house again, but he was just fine with that. As long as he got to see Ian, to be with him. He hadn’t given much thought to what his life would be like after the change, aside from being with Ian. He didn’t know if he’d always be on the run like Ian was, always in danger from people hunting them. Maybe they’d disappear to the far ends of the earth where no one could get them.Mickey drank a few more beers, contemplating the last hours of the day before he had to meet up with Sammi. He had plans not to meet with Ian until after his change but that proved to be too dangerous now with him having to avoid the water. No, tonight would have to be the night and he didn’t even have very long. Mickey tossed his beers, grabbed his keys and phone and locked the house up as he left. He dialed Ian on the way. He answered in three rings.“Mickey? Are you okay?”“Yeah, I’m okay.” Mickey promised. He was already pulling into the slow traffic. “I don’t know how much I’ll see you tomorrow. We are going to be really busy trying to get this down right, but I want to see you. Tonight, if you can.”“Yes, please.” Ian replied softly. “I don’t like waiting so long to see you.”Mickey could definitely understand. He didn’t like it much either. “Can you meet me at the marina? Maybe we can drive out a little bit for more privacy.”“Yeah, I’m not far from there now.” Ian replied. “Oh, and I think your phone thing isn’t going to make it. It’s been beeping at me for a while now. It might die.”That made him laugh harder than it should have. But he definitely needed it after the stressful day he had. “No worries. I can charge it for you while we are talking. That way you still have a way to get into contact with us.” Mickey took a few extra turns, still paranoid about anyone following him. It seemed safe but he’d been wrong before.“Well, I’m gonna go then so I can meet you there. Might take me about ten minutes or so, maybe less.”“I’m about five minutes away but I’ll keep a look out for you.” Mickey stopped at a light, eyes scanning all the cars around him but all he could see were lights. No one seemed to be following him but there was still a chance. “Just be safe. Love you.”“Love you, too.” Ian replied and hung up.It took less than five minutes to get to the marina. He had a key to the front gate and even though his boat wasn’t up to code yet for another trip…one he’d never make…he got on board and waited for Ian. The water was dark, just as dark as the skies with just the moonlight shining down on him. There were no other boats, not people, not a single light on. It was peaceful, quiet. He couldn’t wait for that twenty-four-seven.It didn’t take long for Ian to make his appearance. Mickey heard the water move and looked down to see Ian treading water near the boat. He walked over and smiled down at him. “Hey, you okay?”Ian nodded. “Yeah, you?”Mickey nodded. “It’s good to see you.”“It’s good to see you.” Ian replied with a smile. “Do you want to go out a little ways and I can follow you?”“Yeah, I don’t want anyone to see us.” Mickey scouted his mind for a place they could be alone but not too far from the marina. He had plans later, big, big plans. “We can go about a mile or so out. It should be okay for us.”“Okay, go ahead and I’ll follow along.”Mickey waited for Ian to move out of the way before he started his boat up and untied it from the dock. He drove slowly, making sure he didn’t come into contact with Ian in any way. Ian followed alongside his boat, keeping up the speed so when they got to be a mile out, they both slowed down at the same time. Mickey dropped the anchor and cut off his boat until it was floating there.“How do I get up there?” Ian asked as he jumped a little to grab the edge of the boat. “It’s kind of a bad angle to pull me up.”“I have an idea but I don’t think you’ll let it.” Mickey was already moving towards the mechanism that hoisted a giant net into the water and pulled it out. Ian’s eyes were confused for a moment before he was horrified. “You know I’m just tryin to help you get up here.”Ian shook his head. “No, I can’t do that. Just give me a second.”Moments later Mickey found himself alone. It didn’t last but a moment or two and Ian was sailing out of the water like a torpedo. He must have swam away, gunned it and used the water to jump high enough to clear the deck. It worked and Ian landed with a thud. It didn’t sound very good and when Ian groaned as he landed, Mickey knew he must have hurt something.“The net might have been better.” Mickey laughed but he covered it with his hand. “You okay?”Ian nodded and sat up, back against the side of the boat. He rubbed his side. “Next time, if there is a next time, the net definitely.”Mickey took a seat near him and Ian immediately leaned into his side. Mickey wrapped an arm around him and kissed the side of his head. “Probably won’t be a next time, honestly. I won’t see you for awhile tomorrow, and I’m sorry about that, but we gotta go over it all with Sammi and make sure we get it right.”“I understand.” Ian replied sadly. “If there is anything she needs me to do, or say, I’ll do whatever she needs.”“We are gonna get there early so we have time to talk to you about it. That way we all know what’s happening.” Mickey was nervous, not just about tomorrow night, but that night. He didn’t like to keep things from Ian but, this time he just felt like he had to. “You doin okay?”“Yeah, just been swimming around, trying to keep myself busy so I don’t worry.” Ian admitted. “We have been spending so much time together lately that it feels weird when we don’t, or can’t.”“Yeah I know.” Mickey pulled Ian tighter against him. “It won’t be like this all the time. After this is all done we can spend all damn day and night together.” He imagined him and Ian swimming side by side, racing through the water without a care in the world. It brought a giddy smile to his face. “I promise.”“I know there’s something you’re not telling me.”Mickey hadn’t been expecting that. Of course Ian knew he was hiding something because he’d always been so open about what he was doing or where he was going. It wasn’t hard to pick up on the differences this time. He really didn’t know what to say, and not tell him something that was a lie. They’d never had any of that between them and he didn’t want to start now.“Ian…”“I don’t know why you can’t tell me,” Ian continued without letting Mickey speak. “But I know it’s gotta be something important, or dangerous for you to block me out.”Mickey turned Ian’s jaw with his fingers so their eyes met and he could let Ian see deep into his mind, his soul and see that he was keeping something, but not out of malice. “If you ask me, I will tell you. But I really hope you don’t. I wanted it to be a surprise.”Just that word had Ian’s eyes sparkling.If it was a surprise, maybe Ian thought it wasn’t anything dangerous. Or sneaky. It wasn’t, but he was only doing what he thought was right. For him, for them. The last surprise was him taking Ian to his home, sharing a special time together and that had worked out better than he’d hoped, just not with Noah ruining it all.“A surprise?” Ian asked. “For me?”“It’s for us,” Mickey saw some glint of hope shine in Ian’s eyes. “But I can almost promise you will like it.”“I like everything we do.”The look Ian gave him shifted, as did Ian’s body. They were side by side, but now Ian was turning towards him, turning his face towards his own. Mickey didn’t fight it, he turned as well until they were almost on top of each other. Ian’s tail made it hard to get any closer than that, but that didn’t stop their hands from touching, Ian gripped his jacket, tightly. Mickey dug his fingertips into Ian’s side, not hard, but just enough for Ian to gasp.Mickey didn’t have much time, an hour maybe, two if he pushed it. And he would because there was no way to get away from Ian, not that he wanted to, but when Ian craved that touch, that closeness, Mickey could never say no to him.“I don’t have long.” Mickey warned him but Ian was already leaning in for a kiss. He nodded, acknowledging what he said, but not pulling away. “Okay?”“I heard you.”Mickey laughed. “Somehow I don’t think you did.”Ian’s fingers brushed Mickey’s lower lip, eyes following the movement. “We don’t have to do anything. I just wanna kiss you.”Kissing always led to other things. Always. And for now since Ian wouldn’t change for a number of hours, there was only so much they could do. Or it limited what he could do to Ian. Ian could literally take him apart within a few minutes, but that wasn’t why he came.“Only for a minute.” Mickey warned and Ian smiled deviously. “Then I have to tell you something important, okay?”Ian nodded but Mickey knew he didn’t really hear what he said. If he did, Ian would have stopped instantly to hear whatever it was. And he hadn’t. At that, Mickey let Ian do what he wanted, he kissed him back with the same unmatched hunger they both felt. And it didn’t start off slowly either, they didn’t ease into it. No, Ian instantly licked into his mouth, forcing him to groan and meet him with his own kiss. Ian pulled at his hair, turning his head, pulled at his jacket, at his jaw. Like he was trying to eat him from the mouth down.Heat covered his entire body from his ears to his toes and it never let up. The harder Ian kissed him, the more of him he tasted, the more and more he wanted. He wanted Ian like he’d already had him, spread out on the bed, his perfect body on display for his greedy eyes. He wanted to taste him, to hear him as he enjoyed it all.But there wasn’t time for that, and might never be again.Mickey broke away from the addicting attention and Ian moved to his jaw, sucking a hot path down his neck. He allowed himself a few seconds of bliss before he peeled Ian away from him, but it didn’t work, Ian was glued to him. Touching him in all the right ways.“Ian…” Mickey pleaded but Ian didn’t stop. “I don’t want time to do this the right way, Ian.”“Why isn’t this the right way?” Ian asked between kisses. He had a grip on Mickey’s shirt, pulling it down as much as the fabric would allow so he could have more access to his skin. “Feels right to me.”Goosebumps that had nothing to do with the chilly wind prickled up his arms. “Yes, it does but we don’t have time for us to do this. Not the way we always do it.” Mickey tipped Ian’s head up so he could see his eyes, they were blown wide, drowning in lust. “Fuckin wish we did though.”“I just want to make you feel good.” Ian’s hand moved down Mickey’s body.Mickey groaned. “You already make me feel good, Ian. Always.” The hand on his stomach slid down to rest just above his groin. Mickey bit back a moan. He was unbelievably hard. “Ian.”“You know what’s not what I mean.”Oh, he knew. But he really didn’t have time.“From how hard you are right now, it won’t take long.” Ian licked his lips and looked down. “Hmm?”God, he’s created a monster. Ian used to be so shy about sexual things because he didn’t have any experience but now that he had, Ian’s mind and body went freely in that direction. Mickey could appreciate that, because any time he got around Ian he wanted it just as badly. The way Ian was looking at him now…like he wanted to eat him up.Mickey’s mouth was dry, his dick was hard and he wanted so badly to stay for it all. But he couldn’t. Sammi was expecting him. “It doesn’t seem fair if I can do you.”Ian licked his lips again. “Just trust me, Mickey. I want you so bad it’s gonna help me too. Please let me.” His hand finally moved the last inch down and grabbed Mickey through his shorts. They both moaned. “Please, Mickey.”Even feeling off about it being one sided, Mickey wasn’t given much choice. Ian wanted it, Mickey wanted it and they were wasting time talking about it and denying it. He gave in. As he always did with Ian.“Okay,” Mickey conceded and Ian grinned. “But we are talking after, okay?”“Whatever you want.” Ian pulled the string on Mickey’s shorts and slipped his hand fully inside and began stroking him. “God, Mickey.”Mickey closed his eyes for a moment, breathing harshly already and Ian hadn’t even begun. Ian was working him like he was a pro. Knowing when to slow down and when to speed up, giving his hand that amazing little twist near the head. It had him squirming, pushing into the touch, wishing he was back inside him.“Take your shirt off.”Without thinking or caring about the cold, Mickey shrugged off his light jacket, then his shirt and Ian instantly started kissing his neck, his chest, lightly sucking on his nipples, using his teeth. Mickey helped guide Ian down with a grip of his hair. He went lower and lower and Mickey didn’t stop him.“Fuck, Ian,” Mickey groaned as he licked against his hips. He didn’t mean to but he pushed Ian down a little, eager to feel his mouth.Ian pulled Mickey’s shorts down and together they got them to his knees, giving him plenty of room. When Ian licked from the base of his cock to the top, Mickey’s head dropped back and hit the side of the boat with a loud thud. He didn’t even feel it. The only thing he could focus on was Ian.“I love the way you taste.” Ian mumbled before he took him all the way down.“Fuckk…” Mickey groaned. Ian bobbed his head up and down, taking all of him like he’d been doing it his entire life. The feeling was mind numbing, toe curling. He knew it wouldn’t take long, especially not with the way Ian was moaning around him. “Ian…”The only thing Ian could do was moan a response. Mickey put his hand, the one that didn’t hold Ian in place, on Ian’s tail. He didn’t waste any time and started moving his hand, stroking over it. Ian moaned deeper, enhancing the feeling. Mickey matched that same moan with one of his own and together they moved faster, going deeper, stroking harder.“I’m gonna come, Ian.” Mickey said between lustful moans. He pushed into Ian’s mouth, cutting off any chance for him to talk but by how much he was moaning and squirming, he knew Ian would get there too. “I know you want it.”Ian nodded his head as much as he could.Mickey moved faster, matching Ian’s speed. Ian found his release first, almost sobbing around his cock. It didn’t take but a few seconds of that feeling before Mickey was coming into his mouth. He held Ian there, thrusted a few times to ride it out. When he couldn’t move and his legs were shaking, Mickey pulled Ian up to see his face red, used, beautiful. Ian wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. Mickey kissed the smile off his face, resting himself as Ian moaned his approval.When they parted they each gave that satisfied laugh. Mickey pulled up his shorts and put his clothes back on, while Ian moved to the side of the boat and let his tail dangle in the water. “Fuck, you’re amazing.”Ian smiled back at him. “As are you.”“I definitely didn't expect that tonight.” Mickey moved beside him. “But it’s hard to say no to you.”“Why do you think I get away with it?” Ian laughed. “Now that we did that, maybe I can focus a little easier.”It was hard to focus with sex on your mind, Mickey felt that way every time he laid eyes on Ian. It was a disorder almost, because he couldn’t focus on anything aside from Ian and sex and it was maddening. But now, maybe they could focus a little and behave like the adults they were. The fact that Mickey didn’t have any time to waste made it easier to stick to the plan.“So,” Ian spoke up. “You said you wanted to talk about something?”Mickey nodded and couldn’t meet his eyes. What he was about to tell Ian was something no one knew, and he was only telling him so after his change and they could be together, he wouldn’t have any skeletons in his closet. He needed Ian to know, for it not to be a secret.“Yeah, I know I’ve been meaning to talk to you about it for sometime now but it’s never a good time to say it.” Mickey looked out at the dark water and wondered how many other mermaids were close to them. One maybe, or dozens. “I wanted to tell you about Noah. And my history with him.”Ian was surprised and it showed. “Why now?”That, he couldn’t tell him. “Because it’s time. Some changes are happening in the next day or so and I don’t want to have any secrets between us. You’ve told me all of your secrets, good and bad. About what happened to your family, I just want to give you the same. To clear the air so we can start our life together without any doubts.”“Mickey,” Ian touched his shoulder and he squeezed. “Nothing you ever say will make me change my mind about you. If you didn’t end up killing your family for your own selfish wants…nothing is worse than that.”Ian carried a heavy burden and would his entire life. Just as Mickey did. Although what happened was hardly under his control and wasn’t his fault. But it happened all the same and Noah had threatened once or twice to tell someone, his family, Ian, to drive a wedge between them.“It might not be as bad as that,” Mickey admitted with a sad smile. “But it shouldn’t be kept a secret, not anymore. I want to have a life with you, Ian. So you need to know.”He could tell Ian was nervous, worried even. And there was nothing he could do to calm his nerves. Lying wouldn’t help, but maybe the truth would set them at ease and they could have a new life, a clean slate.“I’ve known Noah for a long time, half of my life, really.” Mickey began and again he couldn’t meet his eyes. He just stared at the water while Ian looked and listened. “I met him when I left home, when my dad almost beat me to death. I was able to leave, and I did. But I had nowhere to go, I had no money or family. I stayed with a few people for a little while, but I was out on the street most of the time. Hungry, cold and dirty, just homeless.”Beside him, Ian gasped. But he just kept going.“For food or money, I had to do things I’m not proud of.” Mickey admitted, finally, for the first time. It made his stomach curl. “And one of those people was Noah. He was about fifteen years older than me when we met, so he should have known better, but it happened anyway.”Ian shook his head. “Mickey, what are you saying?”“I’m saying that I was way too young to do those sorts of things with a man his age.” Mickey felt like he was about to puke. Shame and embarrassment followed him his entire life after that. “At first it was up to me what happened between us. I didn’t say no and we did those things.” Ian was about to ask again and Mickey finally said the words. “We had sex. And I said yes, until I didn’t. Until I realized that I didn’t want to live that way anymore, and I put a stop to it.”Ian was crying, a hand over his mouth. “And what happened?”Mickey sighed a shaky breath. He was crying too, but the only thing that gave him away were the tears. He wiped them away. “I realized then that it didn’t matter what I wanted. It didn’t matter that I wanted to stop, I didn’t really have a choice. Noah…” he paused, waiting for the pounding of his heart to stop before it was louder than his voice. It didn’t, so he had to continue. “Noah forced me.”“Mickey…” Ian gasped, he was fully crying by that point. He couldn’t say anything else.Shame about what happened followed him since it happened, since he was able to get away from him. It took years to get past what happened enough to be an actual person again. To control his own life, his own destiny. To realize it wasn’t his fault it happened because he was just a kid. It never should have happened.“I got away, eventually.” Mickey wiped his face but the tears came again. “It took me a long time to deal with what happened and the guilt and shame I felt. It’s easier now because I’m an adult and I know it wasn’t just my fault. But it happened and Noah seems to think if he mentions little things out of context that people will assume we loved each other or some shit like that. Which just isn’t true.”“Like he did before.” Ian said, it wasn’t a question.Mickey nodded. “I told Mandy some of it, but I lied about most of it. I didn’t want her to know the truth. She’d probably kill him, which is why no one else knows. Except me and you.” Mickey finally looked at Ian and hated the look of pity, but that’s not what he saw. He saw anger, rage. It was a little frightening.“Next time I see him…” Ian didn’t finish his sentence. He didn’t want to say it out loud.Little did Ian know, Noah was about to get what was coming to him. He’d be out of their lives forever, and be able to do some good with his deal. It would be a full circle moment. Mickey couldn’t tell him that.“Noah will get what he has coming.” Mickey promised and offered his opened hand to Ian who took it without hesitation and kissed his palm. “I just wanted to tell you so you didn’t think something else happened. He has a habit of telling parts of the story that fuck with people.”“I knew something happened, but you’re right. I thought you guys had been together, in love as a couple.” Ian admitted sadly. “And even if you had, I can’t do anything about it. But I’m glad that wasn’t what happened. Even though what happened was horrible enough.”Mickey squeezed Ian’s hand. It was his only support right now. “It’s in the past, but it’s still hard sometimes. I don’t want us to start a life with secrets.”Ian put his arm around Mickey’s back and hugged him close. “I know how hard it is to talk about something bad in your past. Mine was a long time ago and it still hurts everyday. But when you talk to someone, when you can deal with it together, it helps. It won’t ever go away, but you don’t have to worry about us, Mickey. I still love you as much right now as I did five minutes ago.”With a grateful smile, Mickey leaned into him and kissed his cheek. “I love you, too, Ian. I’d do anything for you.”“The feeling is mutual.” Ian replied.They sat like that for a while in total silence. They cuddled together watching the water. It was so late there wasn’t a boat or person in sight. No noise but the wind and the waves as they crashed into each other. Their lives had changed so much in the short time they’d known each other. They’d found love and magic, made love and found enemies. Their entire lives had changed for the better, even with Noah lurking around. Now after tonight, after his change, nothing could stop them from being together for a long, long time. More time than he’d have if he stayed a human.Mickey wanted the change so he could be with Ian forever.Time was going so quickly now. Mickey pulled away from Ian a little and their eyes met. “I’ve gotta go.”Ian nodded. “I wish you could stay.”“I do too, I really do.” Mickey pulled Ian in for a long, deep kiss. He rubbed across his jaw, his nose, looking into eyes so green it looked like the trees. “Keep that phone on you, okay? And stay hidden. I will call you whenever I get a chance.”“Make sure you’re careful. I know you won’t tell me what’s going to happen, but if it’s dangerous then you have to promise me you’ll be careful.”“I promise.” Mickey meant what he said and kissed him once more before he helped Ian get back into the water. “Lay low and I’ll call you when I can, okay?”Ian nodded. “I love you.”“I love you too, Ian.”**It was nearly midnight and Mickey was with Sammi on the beach just outside of the lighthouse. It was a cold, dark night and everyone was in doors besides them. Tonight was the night and it was about to happen. Sammi gave him a quick rundown of what would be said and when, and what he was supposed to do.In the sand just close to the water was a large circle. Shells, crystals, candles and some types of plants, or herbs made up that circle. The candles flickered in the harsh wind but somehow never went out. Mickey stood off to the side in just his boxers, almost freezing but Sammi insisted it had to be this way. She’d wanted him naked, something about being in his natural state, but he wasn’t comfortable with that. So boxers it was.Iggy called not too long ago, before he lost his clothes and confirmed what they already knew. That he was inside the police station waiting for his time to kill Noah. A false bomb threat had been called in just on the border of the county line, forcing everyone besides one cop and the secretary to respond to that threat. It would take at least a half an hour for them to clear the college, young adults taking night classes, then search that giant school from top to bottom. It was a big job and gave them plenty of time for Iggy to do what he had to and get out before anyone saw him.Now it was a matter of seconds before they could begin.“Okay, stand inside the circle please.” Sammi instructed, she held the giant book in her hands, nodding him forward.Mickey came forward, stepping over the items in the circle. He made sure not to disturb anything and stood in the center. He was beyond nervous, shaking from not just the cold, but from fear, anticipation maybe. He had confidence in Sammi for this, he was sure of that. But there was always the chance that something could go wrong and he hadn’t been having many lucky days lately.“Okay, I’m about to begin.” Sammi looked up at the moon and it was shining brightly, full and powerful.Iggy had two minutes. They couldn’t call until after and had to trust that he would get it done.“When it begins, when I start chanting, you begin right after, exactly what we went through, okay?”Mickey nodded. He memorized the words for hours.“When I’m done chanting, it will get really windy and very cold, that’s when I need your blood.” Sammi reminded him. A large knife flashed in the moonlight on her belt. “And like I said, you will feel like you’re dying, but that’s how this works.”“I understand.” Mickey promised. “Go ahead.”Sammi smiled at him briefly and Mickey listened to her speak in that weird language. He couldn’t understand any of it but the way she said it felt familiar from when they practiced. She moved around him, around the circle, eyes on the book and never stopped. Mickey counted to five, just as she said, then began to chant his own words. Those sounded foreign to him, felt strange but he was sure of his words.Just as she said, the winds around them started to pick up, kicking up sand, swaying the palm trees. The water responded in kind and began to rush violently against each other. It would only get worse the more they kept it up. Mickey was freezing but ignored it and held the crystal tightly in his hand, and put his fist against his chest, his heart.Hours seemed to pass as they continued. But seconds after Mickey stopped his chanting section, the sky turned black, covering up the stars. A storm was coming and he knew exactly what that meant. Noah was dead.Sammi became louder, yelling, almost rocking back and forth as she continued to circle him until she stood face to face with him. She stopped and the wind blew the book to the ground, threatening to put out the candles that never seemed to die. Their eyes met and he almost took a step back. They were pitch black, like a creature he saw in a movie once. He wanted to look away but he knew he couldn’t. Not until she did.And she did. She closed her eyes, took the knife out of her belt, it was almost as long as her forearm and the handle was fitted with glimmering stones. Mickey breathed deeply as she stalked around him, he thought of Ian and did his best to keep calm. When he could hear and feel her in front of him once again, he knew this was it.It didn’t hurt, or maybe it did but he didn’t feel it. The only thing that confirmed she did it, was the blood slowly rushing down both of his wrists. It was warm compared to his cold hands. And it came fast, very fast.“Okay, spin in a circle twice, slowly, arms out.” Sammi instructed in a harsh whisper. “Then get down on your knees.”Mickey did as she asked, his eyes were still closed but he knew where he was moving. He spun twice with his arms out wide, knowing that the blood would seep into the items in the circle. After two spins, he sat down on his knees and waited.“When you’ve lost almost all of your blood, I’m going to put my hand on your head and say the last words.”He was getting colder as the blood continued to leave his body. If something went wrong with the ritual, the amount of blood he lost would probably kill him. He trusted that Sammi knew what she was doing and would be able to keep him alive. The wind became colder, the darkness behind his eyes was darker. He really was dying.Then he felt her hand on the top of his head. She began to speak, chanting yet again but he couldn’t hear a single word she said. His heart was pounding slower and slower in his chest, losing its beats per second very quickly. And just when he thought she messed up, that he was dying, a blast of what he could only describe as white hot heat hit him right in the heart, channeling painful energy and heat into the Crystal, through his hand.If he had to guess what it was, he’d have said lightening.The chanting began to slow down, getting quieter and quieter by the second. Until the wind was quiet, the ocean waves weren’t angrily overlapping each other. It was quiet, silent. Mickey didn’t feel cold anymore, he didn’t feel the hotness of his blood against cold fingers. And when he opened his eyes, his wrists were healed, like it never happened. The candles went out and the crystals all around him were blackened. Like they burned up.Sammi was laying on the ground next to him.Mickey bolted up, unsure if he was allowed to move or not, but he took a chance and went to her. She was breathing and her eyes were open, looking up at the sky. The black eyes faded until just the normal color remained. “Are you okay?”With a smile, Sammi nodded. “Don’t worry, it didn’t kill me. Just takes a lot of power but I didn’t realize how much. How are you feeling?”“I was feeling like shit, but now…” Mickey took inventory of his own body to see how he actually felt. He felt substantially better than he had before, even being cold. “I feel better than I did before, but I thought I’d died.” He helped Sammi up enough for her to sit on the sand. “Did I?”Sammi took a handful of deep breaths. Her hands tingled from the magic. “In a way, yes. But it worked, I’m sure it did.”Seconds later the phone rang. Mickey ran to his pile of clothes on the sand and dug around for his phone until he found it. He answered quickly, out of breath and worried. “Iggy?”“Yeah, it’s me.” Iggy replied quietly. “I hoped to hell it worked.”Mickey smiled, everything about himself now felt different. Changed. “Yeah, it worked. Are you okay?”“Yeah, I’m good. Just heading around the block to meet Colin to get a ride. Look, I’m beat, I’m gonna crash at home but I’ll meet up with you guys tomorrow.”Iggy sounded different but Mickey expected that after him killing someone. It wasn’t an easy thing to ask, or do, but it had to be done and Iggy got it done. It makes sense that he needed a little time alone. Time to process. Hopefully it didn’t leave a lasting impact on him.“Yeah, sure thing.” Mickey replied. “Look, thank you, Igg. I know it was asking a lot, but I don’t trust anyone besides you to do this.”“I don’t either man, but I’m happy it worked. I love you, I’ll see you tomorrow.”“Love you, too.” Mickey replied and the call ended. He rubbed over his face, then his chest when he flinched. The spot he held that stone, where he felt that intense pain, there was a scar from it. It was fully healed, nice and white, but it was sore, burning and painful. “Damn.”“Sorry about that.” Sammi helped herself up to stand. A little wobbly on her feet. “But at least you can be proud that you survived something like that.”Mickey nodded and looked out to the water. He wanted to jump in so badly and find Ian, to swim next to him until the sun came up. But then Ian would have legs and he’d have a tail and they’d be apart once again. No, it was necessary to wait until Ian had been transformed into his normal self. Until they could actually be together.“Is Iggy okay?” Sammi asked, worried.Mickey nodded. “He’s a little…he just needs some time. I’m sure the cops will come see me tomorrow simply because Noah is dead and I’m the one who had a beef from him, but they’ll see I was never around the jail. And I have no contact with anyone because we used burner phones. Speaking of which, I probably need to get us new ones.”“What he did was very brave, Mickey. It takes a good kind of person to do something like that. To risk their lives. You have an amazing family.”The smile couldn’t be helped and that feeling of love and pride blossomed in his chest. “Trust me, I’ve known for awhile but since all this shit has started, I realized how much luckier I am than I first thought. But you know, you’re family too, Sammi.” He watched tears pool in her eyes. “And not just because of what you’re doing for us, but because we love Knox and he loves you and you’ve already helped with Noah when we didn’t even know about it. You’ve earned your place here. In our family.”Sammi smiled and squeezed his shoulder. “No reasons for any thank yous, I’m just doing what’s right and trying to change the future because of what happened in our past. I want my family to be free of that guilt and try to heal. To move on. And maybe in time our magic will return to us when the universe decides we earned it back.”“I hope so.” Mickey smiled. “So, what now? I just got home, stay away from water in general?”“No,” Sammi laughed. “You can drink it and shower and all that stuff but the second you touch that ocean water, you’re bound to it.”“I guess that means I can’t see Ian.” Mickey said sadly. He glanced at his burner phone to see that Ian tried to call him an hour ago. He’d missed it. “That kinda sucks because I can’t tell him why I can’t touch him.”“I’m sure he knows you’ll be busy tomorrow and tomorrow night.” Sammi tried to support his decision. “It won’t be long until the distance will be in your past and you can finally be together. It just requires a little sacrifice of time, blood and well, your life, essentially. What you’re giving up is a lot, Mickey.”He shook his head. “None of that shit mattered before I met Ian. And it doesn’t matter now. Don’t get me wrong, I love my family, but I’m not happy working all the time and being alone. That’s not living, Sammi, that’s surviving.”“Trust me, I understand.” Sammi replied. She went to pick up the book, the burnt crystals and candles. “Before I met Knox I was lost, just like you. I didn’t fit in anywhere, couldn’t love anyone in that way. But meeting one person that’s worth it will change your entire life.”It sounded like she knew, but there was something she was holding back and it didn’t take long for her to come through with it.“Mickey, you are going to outlive everyone in your family, in your lifetime.” Sammi met his eyes and saw when he realized that what she said was true and he’d never thought about it that way. “Maybe that’s the price you really pay, and not a death.”She wasn’t wrong. Mermaids had a long life span, hundreds of years and the people he loved the most wouldn’t last another seventy years. They’d be very old or dead. It was something he hasn’t considered even though he’d been thinking about this for weeks. He’d been thinking about his life with Ian, and knowing what he was giving up…seeing his family daily, but he would outlive them.“I’m sorry.” Sammi squeezed his shoulder. She had all her items in a bag to take with her. “It’s too late to change your mind, but I thought maybe you’d have thought about that before we did this.”Mickey was almost at a loss for words. “Honestly, I was only thinking about being with Ian. I knew I might not see them as often, maybe a few times every few years but I didn’t think that I’d never see them again, in that way.”“That doesn’t mean you can’t be a part of their life, and theirs of yours. You just have to think and plan differently and you can still have a relationship with your family.”It could happen, but with people like Noah and his mothers company who’s trying to track down all the mermaids for some mythic utopia of mermaids, it was a long shot. They’d have to be even more careful than they are now because as soon as Noah’s mother heard of his death…which would be in a matter of hours…she might send a million people after them, after him. Unless they could be stopped.“Look, it’s late and we are exhausted.” Sammi spoke softly, tiredly. “We need to get some sleep and recharge for tomorrow. We have yet another long day and night ahead of us, and we have to get this one right.”Mickey agreed and finally redressed himself. He wasn’t cold as he used to be and he was sure it was from the ritual, from that hot burning feeling inside of him. They drove separately mainly because Mickey was closer to home than she was. They walked up to the cars together and without thinking about it, he hugged her, hard and didn’t let go for some time. He was grateful she didn’t feel strange about it, because he literally owed her his life, his future.When he pulled back, she was smiling. “Thank you. For all you’ve done and for what you still have to do.”“This is the best thing for all of us, Mickey. Trust me. I’m just happy I was able to help.” She squeezed his arm. “Good night, try and get some rest before tomorrow.”Mickey let her pass. “Good night.” He waited until she got to her car and left before he did the same.The drive home felt different, unfamiliar. Even being behind the wheel. The street lights were too bright, horns that honked at him for driving too slowly seemed even louder than before. Maybe his body was rejecting all things around him because as of now he belonged in the water, free from all that chaos.The house was dark and quiet. Mickey unlocked the door to his house and walked inside. It was empty for once, everyone that had been hanging around there for a few days were at their own places, getting ready for the big night. Resting and gathering everything they needed. It will be a long day tomorrow and an even longer night, but then it will be over.Mickey tossed his keys on the counter and grabbed a beer from the refrigerator before he plopped down on the couch. He didn’t turn the tv on, or his stereo. He just sat in silence and drank. Thinking of his very near future. Then he grabbed another beer, then another and by the time he was done, an entire six pack had been emptied and he was asleep on the couch.He wouldn’t wake up for hours later. He was groggy, not hungover or anything but still buzzed. He’d only been asleep for three hours but it felt like a week. Mickey blinked away the sleep and sat up to stretch, his neck popped and it echoed through the room.When he got up to turn a light on, he caught a little movement by the back door. It could have been one of Noah’s guys slinking around again. He grabbed the gun he left beside him on the couch and quietly moved to the back door. It was too dark to see anything, so he switched on the light and jumped so high the gun almost went off.Ian was standing at his back door, completely naked, holding something in what looked like a faded grocery bag. Mickey set the gun down and quickly opened the door and all but pulled him inside. He locked it back, shut the light off and waited to see if anyone followed him, maybe someone lurking in the shadows. When he didn’t see anything moving but the wind, he turned around.“What the fuck, Ian?” Mickey asked, so shocked he couldn’t control the volume of his voice. “How the hell did you get up here?”Ian smiled and set the bag down in the sink. Then leaned against it. “I walked, of course. It took me a while because I kept falling.”“Someone could have seen you!” Mickey yelled again and walked up to him, looking for signs of damage.“Are you mad?”The sound of Ian’s voice had him checking his own really quickly. He rubbed over his face and walked towards him, breathing deeply. “No, I’m not mad. You just surprised me and I’m always worried someone will find you. Then you walk up…”Ian smiled. “I tried to call you, but you didn’t answer.”Mickey took his burner phone out and saw a missed call from his own number, the phone Ian had. “I’m sorry. I fell asleep on the couch and heard something at the door. You, I guess. Are you okay?”“Just missing you.” Ian admitted. “I thought if you were too busy or tired to meet me then I’d come up here for a change.”“That’s a big risk.” Mickey was a little mad, more worried really, but walked up to Ian and cupped his face, kissing him. “But I missed you, too. I just don’t want anything to happen to you.”Ian gripped Mickey’s jacket so he didn’t fall. Using him for balance. “I was careful, Mickey. I didn’t see anyone and they didn’t see me.”Mickey noticed Ian’s legs shaking a little. “Let me help you sit down.” He guided Ian to the couch and helped him sit down, then sat beside him. “I can’t believe you walked here.” Ian smiled at him. Mickey kissed it right off of him. “You actually walked here.”“It was hard, I’ll admit that, but I took my time and rested where I needed to.” Ian explained. “I just really wanted to see you. Are you okay?”“Yeah,” Mickey nodded. “Just a busy day. I didn’t even mean to fall asleep.”“If you need me to leave…” Ian made a move to stand up but was stopped. “I don’t want to make your day any harder.”Mickey grabbed Ian’s face so their eyes met. “It’s never a bad time, Ian. I wanted to see you too. I’m really happy you came.”When Ian smiled, Mickey did his best to prove it to him. He pulled him in for a kiss by his face, Ian gave a sigh and opened up for him without provocation. And he didn’t waste time, Mickey licked into his mouth, over and over again until Ian met him, kiss for kiss, gripping his jacket to pull him closer. It wasn’t lost on him that Ian was naked, he might not have realized it until that moment but he knew. And now he really knew. Ian’s legs were brushing against his.“Tell me what you want.” Mickey said between burning hot kisses. Ian was whimpering, whining. They exchanged half a dozen more kisses and Ian still hadn’t answered. “Tell me, Ian.”“I want you.” Ian gasped, finally admitting it, his hands moving down Mickey’s chest, wishing he didn’t have any clothes on. “I miss your body, Mickey.”Mickey, without thinking, fueled by lust and desire and Ian’s words, pushed Ian into the back of the couch and straddled his lap. It was so ingrained in him that he didn’t think twice about it, nor did he think about why he shouldn’t grind down against Ian, feeling him hard and ready against his ass. He yearned for that feeling and it had been a long time since he felt it, it was natural for him.Only not for Ian.When Mickey pulled back, he had a shocked, but heated look on his face. It took him a second to realize why. Then he felt really embarrassed and tried to move, only Ian held onto him tightly, enabling him to move. “Shit, I’m sorry.”“Why?” Ian asked, his head tilting to the side.“Because I didn’t meant to just…” Mickey motioned to his position. “I just got caught up.” His face was burning red, and he couldn’t meet Ian’s eyes for very long. Being dick hungry would do that.“But you like this, right?” Ian asked again. He got a nod in return. “Then why are you sorry?”Ian didn’t understand fully and Mickey didn’t have it in him to explain it. Their only actual sexual encounter had been swapped and it really had been a long time since he bottomed, but he really fucking wanted to. He wanted to do what he did best, but it wasn’t as easy as that. Ian had only bottomed, once. Just once.“Look at me.” Ian insisted.Mickey looked up at him. Eyes searching and all he found was heat and need, just like him.“We can do it this way.” Ian spoke softly, maintaining eye contact while he pushed Mickey’s jacket off his shoulders. It landed with a soft sound, then he pulled the shirt up over his head. “If you want to.”It took everything in him not to grind down against Ian again. It would have been so easy, so damn satisfying. But he refrained. His body wanted that more than anything. He wanted to feel like he used to, get off the way his body demanded. But he didn’t want Ian to feel like he had to.“Ian…”“I’m serious, Mickey.” Ian leaned forward to kiss over Mickey’s chest, sucking skin into his mouth before he bit it, then kissed across the marks. “You can show me how.”Mickey moaned, he went from a confident top to a needy bottom within a few seconds. He held Ian’s head close, urging him to keep going while he thought about what would be the best thing, not just for him, but for Ian. Was it greedy to ask for it one last time? One time before he would never get it again, at least not like that? He didn’t know but he fucking wanted it and his mind seemed like it was already made up.“Please show me.” Ian said between kisses, his hands moved across Mickey’s back, his nails digging in until Mickey hissed. “I can make it good for you.”“Fuck, Ian.” Mickey couldn’t handle another word from his mouth, although innocent sounding was just enough to have him grinding down. And he did, just as he yanked Ian’s head up by his hair and kissed the next words from his mouth.Ian kissed him back, matching his need, his urgency while touching him, nails in his back, hands moving down to grip his ass, squeezing. Mickey finally gave in and pushed his body down, grinding against Ian’s cock, forcing sounds from the both of them. The more he did it, the faster they kissed, the more he wanted it.“Please, tell me what to do.” Ian begged, he gripped the back of Mickey’s jeans and tugged on them, wanting them off. “I want you just like this, Mickey. Please.”Mickey pulled back, making sure what Ian was saying wasn’t just because of his own need for it. No, Ian looked like he did, in need of him just as Mickey was for him. It was so heavy in the air, the room already smelled like sex. “Are you sure?”Ian nodded, tugging on Mickey’s jeans again. “Get what you have to get, then show me. I want it.”He hadn’t moved so fast in his life. He bolted to his bathroom and grabbed the bottle of lube he tossed in the trash can earlier that day. The trash was all but empty save for that bottle. He brought it back into the living room but wasn’t so quick to jump back on Ian as he was to jump off. He walked to him, eyes wandering to forbidden places, mouth almost drooling.Ian was still a little shy just sitting there naked and went to cover himself before Mickey jerked the blanket away and tossed it behind him somewhere. “I don’t think you’ll need that.”“Then you won’t need those either.” Ian pointed at Mickey’s jeans and boots still in their proper places. “Hmm?”Well, he had him there. Mickey tossed Ian the bottle of lube, then kicked off his boots, unfastened his belt and jeans, then pulled them and his boxer briefs down to pool at his feet. Ian’s eyes openly stared at him, eyes roaming up and down his body without fear of being told not to. He didn’t have to worry about that with him. Mickey wanted to show him, just like he wanted to see all of Ian.“Do we need to go into the bedroom?” Ian asked and motioned down the hall.Mickey shook his head. One hand dropped to his chest, then slid down until he could grip himself, groaning as he began to stroke slowly. “You said we could do it just like this. That means on the couch.”Ian nodded quickly, eyes on Mickey’s moving hand. “Is it the same thing you did to me?”“Yeah, just the same.” Mickey forced himself to stop, then walked up to Ian, stopping as he stood right in front of him. He was about to straddle him again, but instead leaned forward to grip Ian’s hair and guided him forward. He smoothed down his hair, then down his neck, then his jaw, tracing it with his thumb.“I miss the way you taste.” Ian said lustfully and leaned in, rubbing his face against Mickey’s hardness.Mickey dropped his head back. “I saw you only a few hours ago.”“But I still miss it.” Ian used his tongue, licking from the base all the way up. He kept his eyes up, watching as Mickey opened his mouth and moaned. “I wish we could do this all the time.”“Oh, you and me both.” Mickey caressed his beautiful face. “Let me feel it.”Without another word, Mickey watched as Ian opened his mouth and slowly enveloped his cock. It was hard not to start thrusting forward into all that wet heat, but he kept still and let Ian bob his head up and down at a slow and steady pace. Soft hands moved from his thighs, to his ass, squeezing hard enough to force a string of moans from his mouth.“Fuck, that feels good.” Mickey praised and Ian gave a little hum of thanks. He smoothed back Ian’s hair a few times, almost petting him before he gripped it and gave one push into his mouth until Ian made that sexy gagging sound. “Ian…”Ian moaned, going a little faster.Before he could give in and fuck his mouth to completion, Mickey pulled Ian off and they each took a deep, shaky breath. “I could have done that forever.”“I know what you mean.” Ian chuckled. “Come on, I want to get started.”Mickey straddled him once again at the same time they kissed. Both moaning, Mickey pushed down against Ian’s cock while Ian gripped his ass and helped. He rocked against him slowly as they kissed, moaning into each other's mouths. They couldn’t go on like that for more than a few minutes before Mickey needed more.Their kiss ended and Mickey handed Ian the lube he dropped on the couch beside him. “It’s just like we’ve done before. Put some on your fingers, you gotta open me up.”Ian did as Mickey said and squirted some of the thick gel onto his fingers, then looped his arm around Mickey to get to his ass. He rubbed against him slowly. “Just tell me if I’m doing it wrong.”Mickey arched his back on instinct, moaning softly. “Just go slow, okay? Been a long time for me other than us playing around.”Ian did just that. Mickey started to kiss him again, unable to stop moaning in between. Ian circled him a few more times before working his fingers in, first one, then another. Pushing them in and out so slowly, but Ian had long fingers that made his hips jerk everytime they slid inside him. One hand moved to his cock, slowly working it in time with Ian’s fingers.“God, Ian.” Mickey started to swivel his hips, literally begging for it. “Give me another. I need to feel you.”“I like doing this to you.” Ian admitted, doing as he asked and slid another finger into him. He couldn’t believe how tight he was. “What if I don’t last long when we do this?”That was possible. It wasn’t like he lasted very long the other night, it might have been embarrassing if Ian knew more about sex and how long it could actually take. Ian was just so tight, so beautiful and eager and the way Ian loved it…it just made him come so damn fast. With Ian, it would probably be faster. This was Ian’s first time doing this and Mickey was perfectly okay with Ian coming as soon as he needed to.“Mickey?”Mickey snapped out of his thoughts to see a worried look on Ian’s face. “You come whenever you feel it, okay? I already know it’s going to be amazing no matter what.”“But I want you to like it.” Ian replied, he was still sliding his fingers in and out of him, and it was so easy now.“I’m already going to love it because it’s you.” Mickey grabbed the bottle again and moved back a little so he could pour some on Ian’s cock directly. He used his hand to slide it all the way down, getting every inch of him. Ian twitched, moaned. “Trust me, feeling you…you being so damn big…it won’t take me long either.”When it seemed like Ian believed him, Mickey gave him a confident smile, reached between them to grip Ian and hovered over him. Ian’s hands gripped his sides, his wet fingers chilling his skin. He didn’t mind. Getting messy during sex was one of the best parts. It’s nothing a towel or shower wouldn’t clean up.“Just breathe, okay?” Mickey coached, and moved up enough to the head of Ian’s cock pushed against his hole. He shuddered. Maybe he needed to be coached. He was a shaking mess already. “I already know it’s going to be so good.”“Kiss me.” Ian demanded.Mickey kissed him just as he started to push down. Slowly, swallowing Ian’s moans and gasps, muffling his own. He had to stop a few times because Ian really was big and his legs were shaking. Ian’s hands tightened on his sides, clearly needing more and Mickey started again, pushing down, deeper and deeper until he was fully sitting in Ian’s lap.“Fuck, me, god.” Mickey swallowed thickly, his mouth was so dry from moaning. Ian was panting harshly into his chest, shaking, having just as hard a time as he was. “You okay?”Ian shook his head and nodded at the same time. When he spoke, his voice was ragged. “I’m afraid to move, or for you to move. I didn’t think it would feel so good.”They hadn’t even done anything yet, just getting used to each other and the new feelings for Ian and almost forgotten ones from Mickey. He’d had sex plenty in his life, bottom especially, but nothing could compare to Ian. Mickey sat still, giving Ian plenty of time to breathe and let the urge to come lessen. He rubbed over his back, his shoulders, up into his hair where he could lightly scrape his nails into his scalp.“Just let me know when you want me to move.” Mickey said into his ear. He would wait as long as Ian needed to, but it was hard not to move. “Okay?”“I want you to move.” Ian finally said after a few minutes and looked up. He tightened his grip on Mickey’s thighs. “I want to feel what you felt last night.”Last night was a revelation.“Just tell me if I need to stop.” Mickey waited for Ian to nod, then put his hands on Ian’s shoulders and lifted up. His head fell back and his eyes closed at the same time Ian let out a desperate moan and dug his nails into his legs. “You already feel so good.”Ian couldn’t speak, just breathed deeply, trying to keep his body from shaking.Mickey kept a slow and steady pace, each thrust getting more and more intense as Ian seemed to be having a hard time fighting the urge to give in and come. The couch squeaked under them and the air around them was thick with sex, heating the air quickly. When Ian’s hands moved to grab his ass tightly, Mickey picked up the pace, letting his legs do all the work.“Fuck, Mickey.” Ian moaned, and gripped him tightly. “I don’t know how you didn’t come instantly last time we did this.”“It’s hard,” Mickey moaned and slowed down his pace a little so they could both take a breath. He kissed over Ian’s face, his neck, biting his shoulders. He felt that tingle a long time ago but fought himself to keep it together. “You feel so amazing I want to come right now, then again and again until we both can’t move.”Ian shuttered. “I’m trying to hold it but I don’t think I can much longer.” He admitted weakly. His legs and arms were shaking, his heart racing and he couldn’t see straight. “Please, Mickey. Get what you need because I can’t hold on.”That only intensified the feelings, the pleasure and Mickey decided not to hold back. He adjusted his knees further apart and started to move again, to bounce on his cock, taking him deeper and faster than before. Ian couldn’t last long and frankly he couldn’t either. He needed it just as desperately as Ian did and there would be no stopping it.“God,” Mickey tipped his head back as that feeling spread quickly. “Touch me,” he begged and saw Ian’s eyes glow, drowning in need. “Just touch me, please. It won’t take long after that.”Ian didn’t hesitate either. Mickey moved faster the moment Ian gripped him, pumping him fast from base to tip, over and over again. Mickey let his body move on its own, repeating the movement while that feeling overcame him within seconds. Ian’s nails tore into his skin, drawing just a little blood, and his head fell back, mouth opened, eyes closed as he came. Mickey felt it shoot up into him and came seconds later, with Ian still stroking him. He rocked and bounced and moved until it was just too much, too sensitive. He fell forward, almost covering Ian’s body, heaving air like he was suffocating. He couldn’t breathe either, but shut his eyes and tried to breathe through the feelings, the tweaks, the jerks, the pulsing sensations.“Fuck.” Mickey sighed heavily, eyes nearly closing. Ian was breathing just as raggedly as he was, maybe more so, but soft hands rubbed across his back; then his thighs. “Are you okay?” He asked finally and sat up. Ian looked absolutely wrecked.Ian nodded, eyes half open, mouth dry. “I know we’ve done stuff before but this…this was just different.”Mickey smiled. Ian was sweating, pink from the face down to his chest. Absolutely beautiful. “I know it’s a lot. But it’s fantastic.” The only reply he received was a tired nod. “You probably need to lay down.”“Maybe.” Ian admitted. “I’m tired but I didn’t even do anything.”Very carefully, not to mention slowly, Mickey lifted himself off of Ian, not missing the way his eyes crossed and the way his head tipped back as he groaned. His body gave a little shudder, already missing the feeling of being filled. But he settled next to him, trying to control his breathing and the way his body shook. He felt just as Ian did. Wanting more and so badly wanting to fall asleep.“You did a lot.” Mickey leaned against Ian’s body and kissed his sweaty cheek, earning him a smile. “Maybe we should sleep.”“I agree.” Ian nodded. “For a long time.”They both sat there side by side, panting, eyes closed and half asleep. They didn’t speak for a number of minutes and Mickey was almost sure Ian had dozed off, or maybe he did. When there was this strange sound, one he wasn’t used to hearing inside a building. A clicking noise, something familiar yet foreign. Ian didn’t seem to notice, but Mickey pried his eyes open and gave his semi dark apartment a look see.It didn’t take long to register what it was, especially now when he saw about half a dozen crabs skittering around his apartment. At first he wasn’t sure what he saw was real, it could have been some half assed dream, but the more he blinked and looked and listened, the more it became real. They were side stepping all over his kitchen, even a few made it into the living room. The only thing he was concerned about was how they got there. The door was closed, locked even and as far as he knew he didn’t have any fresh seafood waiting… until it clicked.Ian came up to his place with a plastic bag, that he’d long forgotten about. But why did he bring him crabs? And it wasn’t just small ones, but larger ones, some big enough to hurt if you got too close to the wrong end of it. Mickey stood up so suddenly that it shook Ian awake. He blinked confused, and Mickey motioned to the kitchen.“What’s wrong?” Ian asked as he yawned and his jaw cracked.Mickey let out a laugh that was anything but funny. He motioned to the crabs again, waiting til Ian saw them, but didn’t react as he thought he might. “What the hell?” Mickey half laughed, but was just confused. He didn’t even know what to do but sit there and pry for answers. “Why are there crabs?”Ian simply stated, “well, you made dinner for me, so I thought I’d make some for you. I just kinda forgot about it the second I saw you.”There was nothing to do but laugh. Ian brought him dinner, aka…uncooked shellfish as a gesture of some sort, maybe a courtesy. But Ian didn’t know one thing about food, not human food anyway, so what did he do? Well, he brought a bunch of crabs, live crabs and didn’t even tell him. So, he laughed. He laughed so hard he almost doubled over and fell off the couch.Ian didn’t see the humor in it and still looked confused. As if waiting to understand the joke, or the reason for his laughter. Mickey could hardly catch his breath long enough to explain. And even if he did, Ian would be lost. The only thing he could do was take it as the gift it was.“Well,” Mickey spoke quickly before another laugh threatened to overcome his words. “I’m glad you brought food, because I’m starving.”Ian smiled proudly. “Good, I’m not sure how you want them, but I guess we need to round them up?” He asked, eyeing the creatures freely moving across the floor.“Yeah, we definitely need to get them all.” Mickey smiled as he stood up and grabbed his shorts. He put them on and looked around to see how he could gather them all up. “Might be a little tricky though. They aren’t so easy to catch when they’re crawling around in your house.”Snorting, Ian shook his head. “Trust me, they are a pain in the ass to catch, especially in the water. They’re a lot faster than they are right now. Took me almost two hours to get them.”Mickey handed Ian his boxers, so Ian wasn’t walking around naked. He smiled and put them on quickly. He quickly tiptoed around them all and went out the back door, grabbed the net for the pool and came back inside. Ian was already standing, trying to figure out a way to get ahold of them without getting pinched.“They are usually nicer in the water.” Ian admitted with a huff. “Now they’re mean.”“Got that right.” Mickey snorted, he was about to start scooping them up when his front door unlocked and Iggy stepped inside. The scene must have looked ridiculous, both of them standing in a room full of crabs on the loose, weapons in hand. Mickey was already laughing when Iggy doubled over.“Jesus fuck, what did I just walk into?” Iggy covered his mouth as he laughed. He laughed so hard he was crying. “I have to take a picture of this.” He pulled his phone out and took a few pictures.“Yeah, we didn’t mean for this to happen.” Mickey saw the moment Iggy noticed the bottle of lube on the couch, their eyes met and all he could do was grin. Ian blushed and couldn’t keep eye contact. “We were about to capture the little fuckers so we can cook them. You game?”Iggy was all smiles. “Fuck yeah, I’m so down.”Together they gathered them all up. Mickey used the net, Iggy grabbed the oven mits and Ian was brave enough to bend down and pick them up by their shells, stealing clear of their pincers. They tossed them into a bucket Mickey kept out back, then put half a bag of ice on them and set it in the sink.“It’s easier just to buy them at the store.” Iggy tossed the oven mitts onto the counter, then reached into the refrigerator for a beer.“Probably, but they’re not as good.” Ian said as he took a seat at the table. His legs were still a little wobbly. “They aren’t so hard to catch in the water.”Iggy snorted into his beer. “Yeah cuz all you gotta do is ask them nicely.”Mickey rolled his eyes and grabbed a beer. He offered one to Ian who shook his head in disgust, but didn’t reject him when he wiggled the same bottle of wine he had left over last night. Mickey poured him a glass and brought it to him with a kiss.“It’s kinda late to cook, isn’t it?” Iggy asked.“Oh, yeah, but Ian walked up here by himself just to see me and brought dinner. Not sure I can say no.” Mickey grinned.“You walked here?”Ian nodded.“That’s dangerous.” Iggy was surprised. “No one seen you?”“I was careful.”“Trust me, I got onto him too.” Mickey promised. Iggy seemed to accept that and moved on. “So, what’s got you at my place so late?” Their eyes met for half a second without Ian noticing, and they both knew why he was there.Noah.“Just couldn’t sleep.” Iggy said without lying. He drank his beer quickly. “Thought maybe you couldn’t either but if I knew you had company I’d have called first.”“You’re welcome anytime.” Mickey walked over to him and clinked their beers together. Iggy smiled tiredly. He looked worse for wear. “We didn’t plan anything, just a surprise visit. But I’m gonna cook these things up if you wanna stay awhile.”“Yeah, I could eat.” Iggy relaxed back against the couch.Mickey left him there to stare into the dark tv. He had a lot on his mind and Ian noticed. He asked him with his eyes when they looked at each other. Mickey didn’t want to outright lie to him, so he shrugged, saying he didn’t know one way or another.“So, let’s cook these.” Mickey broke the silence by turning on the radio on the counter next to the stove. It wasn’t loud but played good rock music, stuff they called “classic” nowadays. “I suppose I could bake these. Might be faster, but I could steam them too.”Ian cocked his head to the side. “What’s the difference?”Mickey turned to him with a smile. “Well, one makes it juicer while the other makes it more tender. Just depends on how you like it. But they’re both good ways to cook. Might steam them this time.”“Do you need help?” Ian asked after he took a drink from his glass.“Nope,” Mickey left the bucket where it was and walked to Ian to kiss his sweet, wine flavored lips. When Ian smiled, he had to kiss him again, then again. It was addictive. “I just want you to sit there so I can look at you.”Ian blushed. “Well, that’s not very helpful.”“It is to me.” He winked and turned to prepare the crabs. He got some ingredients from the refrigerator, from the spice cabinets and reheated the oven.It didn’t take long to toss all the prepared meat, legs and bodies alike, smothered in butter and enough seasoning to make you sneeze. He tucked them into a big pot with a lid and a little water at the bottom and slid them into the oven, turned the timer on and grabbed two more beers, gave one to Iggy, then poured Ian another glass of wine.He would miss things like this. Cooking. Listening to music, spending time with his family. But he’d had a lifetime of that, of family and love and vacations. As much as he’d miss all that, he’d miss Ian even more.“Smells good already.” Iggy commented after taking a drink.Mickey smiled. “Doesn’t take long either. Less than half an hour.” Which was good because Ian had come over when it was really late/early, so he didn’t have more than a few hours. “You guys wanna go outside? Or play cards or something?”Ian tilted his head in that confused way. “I don’t know what cards is.”Iggy laughed. “It’s just a game.”“Games are fun.” Ian switched from confused to excited, but outside is good too.”If they went outside, Mickey would have to be very careful. His pool was all too close to the house and knowing Ian he’d want to get in, and Mickey couldn’t. Otherwise it was mermaid time for him and would fuck everything up if it happened too early.“I think cards are a good idea.” Mickey pipped up quickly. He wanted to avoid going outside. “Iggy, you in?”Iggy shrugged and stood. “Need to take a piss first, but yeah, I’ll play for awhile.”Mickey left him to it, went into his room quickly so he could grab the deck of cards he kept in his side table and came back to Ian. He sat in the same spot and his beautiful eyes lit up as soon as he saw him. Mickey would never get tired of that feeling, of those looks. Of someone wanting him as much as Ian did, of needing to see him, to be around him. Mickey felt the same way, and moved around the table to pull Ian against his body.“Maybe if he leaves…” Ian looked around to make sure Iggy wasn’t around, but he kept his voice down. “Maybe we can do that again?” He asked.The only reply was “yes” to which he kissed him deeply, his hand on Ian’s jaw, guiding him into something deeper, something that would lead them back to the couch if they didn’t stop. It was so hard to be apart but hard to stay glued together all at the same time. Mickey let the kiss go on until the toilet flushed, then he pulled away just as Iggy came back into the room.“If we have time, definitely.” Mickey whispered darkly right into Ian’s ear before he bit it with his teeth. Ian gasped so softly, he knew Iggy wouldn’t notice. “I can’t get enough of you.”“Mickey…” Ian’s face flushed hotly.“So, cards?” Iggy asked and sat across from Ian at the table. He noticed them very close together, Ian’s face red but didn’t say anything. It wasn’t his business. “I guess we gotta do something kinda easy so Ian can learn.”Mickey sat next to him, beer in hand. “Yeah, something easy for now but he’s smart, he’ll get the hang of it.” Beside him, Ian was beaming, face flushed, eyes sparkling, smile as beautiful as the ocean.How he got so lucky, he’d never know.**Two hours later, all three of them sat at the table, laughing, joking. There were empty plates with shells on them, beers littered all around and they were all a little tipsy, even Ian. They’d been playing cards, laughing, and drinking as if nothing had bothered them, if not had happened. As if Noah wasn’t dead and Mickey hadn’t just changed the entire course of his life. It all melted away for a split second in time.It was one of the most innocent, wonderful times of Mickey’s life.Ian didn’t really know what he was doing, even after trying to teach him how to play. He just went along with it and even laughed when he lost, or when he won. It didn’t really matter. They all had a good time, cracking jokes and telling old stories, new stories when it came from Ian. Memories flooded the house like love. It was wonderful.The only thing was, is that Iggy wasn’t the same. Yeah, he smiled and laughed, drank and from all appearances he was his same old self. But Mickey knew him better than that, he was like a brother to him. He knew Iggy wasn’t okay after all and it was all his fault. He’d asked too much of him, of his most trusted friend. The only one he could count on, and it had been too much.For Mickey, the laughing was done. He smiled, half assed joked, but when Iggy stood up, ready to leave, he knew he had to say something. Alone.“It’s late. I should probably go.” Iggy stumbled a little, holding onto the counter for support.Mickey was around the table before he could fall and helped steady him. Ian looked very concerned and stood, only slowly. “Nope, you're trashed. You can crash in the guest room.”“No,” Iggy tried to shove him away but it didn’t work. “Don’t want to hear you guys fuck.”Ian blushed again and Mickey rolled his eyes and proceeded to walk him to the opposite end of the house. “Trust me, you won’t hear shit, you’re too drunk.”Iggy just nodded.It was quiet for a few steps and Mickey knew it was about to happen, and it did.“It was harder than I thought.” Iggy slurred his words. He held onto Mickey for support. “I hated him, we hated him, but I didn’t think it would be so hard.”A rush of guilt flooded his body instantly. He never should have asked him. He finally got him into the back room without dropping him and all but tossed him on the bed. Iggy landed with a heavy sigh and he was crying.“Fuck, I’m sorry, man.” Mickey felt tears welling up in his eyes. “I never should have asked you.”Iggy shook his head, acting like he didn’t know he was crying. He even smiled. “I’m the only one who could do it. We both know that.”Mickey agreed but didn’t say it.“He deserved what he got, and you guys deserve to be happy.” Iggy yawned again, unaware of the wetness on his cheeks. “He’s a very bad, bad guy, Mickey. His entire family.”“I know.” Mickey replied and wiped his eyes, blinking quickly. “But still, there should have been another way. I should have done it myself.”“Mickey?” Ian called from the hallway.“Go on, man.” Iggy lightly pushed him away. “Go be with Ian while you still can this way. Don’t worry about me. I’m good.”He was anything but good, he was wrecked. And not because of the beer. Because of him.“I should have done it myself.” Mickey said again but Iggy didn’t seem to care, he ignored him and turned over.“The world is better without him, Mickey. Trust me. I’ll be good, I am good.” Iggy promised. “Now, go be with him while you can.”Mickey didn’t have much to say after because Iggy refused to talk. He turned away and Mickey didn’t hear another word, just soft snoring. He tucked the blanket at the foot of the bed around his body, clicked off the light but turned the fan on and shut the door. He took a few seconds to compose himself, wiping his eyes, regretting his every decision, wishing he wasn’t so selfish. It didn’t do any good, he still felt like utter shit, guilty as hell.Iggy lost a little piece of himself that night, maybe a bigger piece than Mickey wanted to believe. It didn’t matter that he agreed to it, Mickey should never have asked him to begin with. It was too much for even the strongest person to accomplish and come away from it unscathed. Iggy was damaged. All because of him and what he wanted.“Mickey?” Ian called again.Mickey put on a fake smile, eyes dry and met Ian in the hallway. He was holding onto the wall, his legs shaky. Mickey went to him and scooped him up in his arms and carried him to the couch. He set him down, then took a seat beside him. “Sorry, he’s just a little drunk.”“He seems sad.” Ian said softly. “Is he okay?”“No, I don’t think so.” Mickey answered honestly. “But people tend to show their feelings a little more when they drink. Makes them sad, makes them want to talk or cry or share their feelings. I think he’s just had a long day.”Ian nodded. “I hope it’s nothing too bad.”It was hard to talk to Ian without telling him the truth of why Iggy was upset. But he also didn’t want to lie, not to Ian, not about anything. It was a delicate situation, one he’d come clean with after everything was said and done. When Ian was changed, when his own change happened, when they could be together the way they were meant to.“I’m sure he’ll be okay.” Mickey tried to reassure him with a smile, he wasn’t sure Ian bought it, but he didn’t say anything. “How are you? You okay?”Ian nodded. “Little dizzy for some reason.”“That’s the wine.” Mickey noticed how flush his cheeks were, pink and warm to the touch. “Might have had one too many.”“It’s good, though.” Ian scooted closer to him. “What do we do now?”Images of them tangled in the cool sheets clouded his mind. Skin to skin, their breath mingling together as they kissed. It must have shown on his face because somehow Ian managed to blush under all that pink. It was beautiful in every way.“How much time do we have?” Mickey asked, his eyes lingered on Ian’s lip, watching intently when Ian’s tongue licked across them.Ian looked at the back door, gauging the moonlight. “Maybe an hour if I’m pushing it.” He turned back only to see Mickey had moved closer, now right up against his side. “Is that enough time?”Mickey put his arm around Ian’s body and pulled him closer, as close as possible and all but invaded his space, touching his arms, his leg, stroking over his jaw. Eyes burning as he looked at everything he had, everything he was. “No amount of time with you will ever be enough, Ian. Never.”“You know what I….” Ian couldn’t finish his sentence before Mickey was on him.Knowing there wasn’t much time, Mickey touched all he could. Ian’s arms and legs, his bare chest, thumbed at his nipples until he gasped between kisses. He wanted to eat him from the mouth down and stay there until he was forced to pull away. Ian held onto him, hand gripping his bare leg, nails digging in his skin, but he kissed him with the same intensity. The same need.“Mickey…” Ian moaned between a kiss, it was swallowed a moment later but he pulled away enough to talk. “What can we do?”Mickey pushed forward again, wanting to kiss him yet again, but Ian’s hand against his chest kept him from getting it. “We can do whatever we want.”“I mean what do we have time for?” Ian smiled.His brain was swimming in lust, in sex, he couldn’t think about anything else besides that, and now that he had to, it was hard for him to focus. “We have time, baby. You just tell me what you want.”Ian’s face heated up even hotter, if that were possible. He wanted to fan his face. He had a hard time talking about anything sexual, and wasn’t sure what to say, or how to say it right. “I want you.”Mickey moved the hand on his chest and kissed Ian quickly, lightly biting his lip. “You have me. But how do you want me?” He knew it was hard for Ian to say it, whatever he wanted, but he pushed him because he really wanted to hear it. “Whatever you want, Ian.”Mustering as much confidence as he could, as he learned just from being with Mickey, he braved the embarrassment and told him in the only way he could. “I want it like we did last night.”Ian’s face was beet red now. He couldn’t meet his eyes and Mickey had never been more turned on in his entire life. Not even when they had sex, but just because Ian finally told him what he wanted, and he wanted to bottom. Even after topping for the first time that night and seeing how amazing it was, Ian wanted to take it.“You sure?” Mickey asked, he was ashamed to admit he was already panting softly. He couldn’t wait to get him naked and touch every inch of him. “Figured you’d wanna go the other way.”Still blushing, ian shrugged. “I like the way it felt. I want you like that again.”Mickey growled, grabbed Ian’s throat lightly so it didn’t hurt him but let him know how badly he wanted him, then pulled him a short distance to his mouth and kissed that shocked, but excited expression off his face. “You wanna go to the bed again, or ride me?”Ian gasped, eyes closing from mild embarrassment, he was so worked up it was hard to meet Mickey’s eyes. “I don’t really know how to do that, Mickey. You made it seem so easy, so….” He breathed deeply, willing his voice to work, to not waiver. “You made it look so easy, moving in ways I don’t know how to. I wouldn’t want it to be bad for you.”“Nothing you could ever do would make that bad, Ian.” Mickey released his throat and rubbed his neck, then his jaw. “I’m yours, in whatever way you want me.”It took a minute, but Ian finally voiced what we wanted. “Let's go to the bedroom.”Mickey stood up and brought Ian with him. His legs were still shaky and he didn’t hesitate to scoop him up once again into his arms and carried him to the bedroom, kissing the entire way. He kicked the door shut with his foot and crawled into the bed with Ian still in his arms. He laid him down and instantly put his body between those long legs.“God, I want you so much, Ian.” Mickey surged forward, pushing against Ian as he spoke into his neck, kissing and sucking a wet, hot trail to his jaw, his ear. Ian held onto him, nails in his back. “Nothing feels better than this.”“Nothing.” Ian agreed breathlessly. He pulled Mickey by his hair so he could kiss him, it lasted moments, but his body was so hot after that he couldn’t breathe. “We don’t have long, Mickey. Please.”Mickey sat up between Ian’s legs and as much as he just wanted to sit there and admire how beautiful he was, he didn’t have time. He pulled the borrowed boxers off and Ian was finally naked. “I gotta go get the lube from the couch, but don’t move.”Ian nodded, he gripped the sides of the bed. His legs rubbed eagerly against the sheets. “Just hurry.”Within seconds, Mickey was up, grabbed the lube and rushed back into the bedroom. Ian was as he left him, only now he was slowly stroking his cock, from base to wet tip, over and over again. Mickey watched, taking just a few seconds to admire how open Ian was now, how he knew what he wanted, and got it, voiced it, showed him. He was so beautifully turned on, empowered.“Mickey, please.” Ian begged and motioned for him. “I need you.”Mickey crawled back on the bed, between Ian’s legs once again and when Ian went to stop, Mickey shook his head. “Keep going, baby. I’m gonna open you up again for me, but keep going. Let me see you.”Ian’s head turned into the cool sheets as he moaned. His face was on fire. “We never have enough time.”Without replying just yet, Mickey spread a good amount of lube on his fingers and didn’t hesitate to get Ian ready for him. He took it slow, gently, slowlyrubbing, watching as Ian moved on the bed, biting his lips to keep the sounds in. Then he used one finger at a time to open him up, slowly, sensually while Ian continued to pleasure himself.“There is never enough time, Ian.” Mickey said after a while. His breathing was a little ragged, his finger moved in and out of Ian’s body, first one, then another and he couldn’t look away. Ian was so sensual, so beautiful. “I could do this forever.”“Mickey…” Ian moaned again and let his hand fall away from his cock to rest on his stomach. “Please.”Mickey was so worked up, just from Ian’s new found confidence, he didn’t want to drag it out. He wanted to get lost in his body, to feel what he felt at the same moment it happened. They had limited time, and most of it was spent teasing and milking answers from him, but now it was time. Their last time. And he wished he had the entire night.“You ready for me?” Mickey asked as he slipped off his shorts and worked himself as he watched Ian, sprawled out, waiting for him. “Hmm?”Ian nodded quickly. “I want it.”Mickey grabbed the lube, added a little more to Ian’s body, then a good amount to his own. He leaned down, kissing Ian passionately as he settled between his legs. He inhaled Ian’s gasp the moment he rubbed against his hole, teasing for a few minutes before he began to push inside. He paused every few seconds, trying to breathe, letting Ian adjust and breathe. It didn’t help because the second he started again, Ian was panting, shaking, begging.“You okay?” Mickey asked between ragged breaths. He’d bottomed out and was resting on his elbows above Ian, watching the ways his face changed, the way his lips looked, his eyes.“Move.” Ian insisted and locked his legs around Mickey the best he could. His hands moved to his back, digging in, pulling him down closer. “Please, Mickey.”Mickey growled softly, braced his knees against the bed and thrust forward. It wasn’t slow and steady, it was a little rough, deep, and Ian’s eyes lit up as his mouth opened as he groaned. He’d waited to see his reaction, which is what he thought it would be. Ian wanted it like that, he wanted it a little harder, rougher than before. Something to remember. Something to feel for days after.“Please, don’t stop.” Ian begged, gripping Mickey’s shoulders. His body moved up the bed as he thrusted, then settled, then moved again. He couldn’t stop the string of moans that flowed out of his mouth. “Fuck me.”It was something Ian had never said before, in any context. Yet he had this time and Mickey couldn’t control the reaction his body replied with. A shiver ran down his spine, he spread his legs further apart, holding onto Ian’s body by his hips and gave a series of hard, deep thrusts. It pushed Ian’s body up the bed and he gripped harder and kept him in place.They’d never done it like this before. It had always been slow and gentle because Ian was so new to it but this time was different. Ian wanted it, Mickey wanted it and that’s how they had it. Mickey kept up that hard, almost punishing pace and made sure to check the reactions Ian gave him to make sure they were still on the same page. And they were. Ian gripped him, moving as much as he could underneath him, wanting more, needing more. Just as Mickey did. “I can’t…” Mickey groaned, his legs began to shake, his vision blurred. “Touch yourself.” He begged and could feel how close Ian really was without even touching himself. “I’m so close already.”Ian nodded and reached down, working himself in tune with their movements. “I don’t want to come yet.”Mickey understood too well. As good as it felt, as bad as they wanted to finish this, to come and be drowned in all those intense feelings, that meant it was over. Ian would have to leave shortly after and tomorrow would change their lives forever.“Don’t hold back, baby.” Mickey urged him to keep going, not slowing his pace whatsoever and knew no matter what, Ian would come, with or without help. He leaned down, making sure his face was just above Ian’s and watched him. “I’m about to come and I want to see you.”“Mickey…” Ian closed his eyes, overwhelming pleasure descending quickly.Mickey saw a drop of sweat fall from his head to Ian’s cheek, he brushed it away, feeling how hot his skin was. “God, you’re so fucking beautiful.” He muttered between breaths, his legs had already begun to shake and his back got really tight. It was only a matter of seconds. “Come for me, Ian. Just feel it.”It seemed like that was all it took for Ian to let go, to allow himself that sweet release. Green eyes rolled back into his head, his beautiful lips parted as he moaned and he came all over his chest, getting Mickey as well with how close they were and he loved it. He tucked his head into Ian’s sweaty neck and gave a few more deep thrusts before a wave of pleasure and emotion washed over him, drowning him. Taking his breath and his sight.They laid there and breathed together, for what seemed like the longest time. Mickey kissed against Ian’s neck, his jaw, then finally found his mouth. It was hard to kiss properly with how harsh their breathing was, but they shared a few, smiled even more. Mickey rubbed Ian’s nose with his own before he slowly pulled out and slid to the side, laying right next to him.“I wish you could stay.” Mickey whispered in the dark. He kissed Ian’s shoulder softly. “Then we could keep doing this and sleep, then wake up and do it again.”Ian laughed. “We keep doing this and I might not exist anymore.”Mickey smiled. “Sure you would. Stamina gets better after a little practice.”The hardest part about making the change, was not being able to be with Ian in this way. Mickey could give up everything and anyone, but sex with Ian was his new favorite thing and he was willingly giving it up. They’d be able to get each other off in other ways. Mickey knew that first hand but it wasn’t the same.“It’s already late.” Ian sat up, arms a little shaky. “I really should get going.”“Yeah,” Mickey said as he yawned. It was very late and his eyes already wanted to close and sleep, but he sat up too and helped Ian get cleaned off. “I can walk you.”Mickey threw on a pair of shorts and Ian pulled the thin blanket around him. They both walked to the back door holding hands, smiling at each other. They didn’t say anything, because this was only a goodnight, not a goodbye. They’d see each other in a few hours, then for the rest of their lifetimes after that.“I can do it.” Ian said as he pulled the sliding glass door open and stepped onto the back porch. “You’re about to fall asleep.”It was true he was having a hard time staying awake, but Ian didn’t walk very well. He shook his head. “You shouldn’t be walking as much. Especially not with how much wine you had.”“I can do it.” Ian smiled and leaned in to kiss him. He took his time, letting it linger for a few seconds before he pulled back. “Go back to bed.”When Mickey went to shake his head again, Ian gave him a little push backwards towards the bedroom. “Ian…”“I can do it, Mickey.” Ian insisted and this time the smile wasn’t there. “Please trust me.”Without wanting to be the cause of a fight, Mickey nodded, head down in defeat. The last thing he wanted to say or imply that Ian wasn’t capable of doing things himself. He just worried, all the damn time he worried something bad would happen to Ian, again.“I’m sorry.” Mickey put his hand on top of Ian’s, still on his chest and squeezed. “I know you can do it, I just want to help. I don’t want you to get too tired.”“I’m very tired, but walking isn’t as bad as I thought it was. Not with you helping me.” Ian leaned in and pushed their heads together. “I gotta get some sleep for tonight and you look like you could fall over at any second. Please trust me to do this and I will be okay.”Mickey cupped Ian’s beautiful face and kissed him. “Go ahead, I’ll go back to bed. But please be careful. We don’t know if anyone is still watching us. I don’t want anything to happen.”“I’m sure they’re all asleep and it’ll take less than a few minutes to get back in the water.”“I will call you sometime tomorrow, but we will be busy for the most part. Just make sure you stay away until we talk.” Mickey made him promise, show Ian how afraid he was with just a single look. “I love you, so much.”“I promise,” Ian kissed him once more and pulled away. “And I love you more, Mickey.”Mickey watched Ian walk down the steps, where he left the blanket draped over the railing. He walked naked into the night, sand moving under his feet. Mickey followed but stopped at the steps. He could barely see Ian anymore, it was too dark. But he could hear something, like rustling. Leaves, or branches or something similar but Ian wasn’t anywhere near the tree line. He walked from the sand towards the water. The sound stopped after a moment, leaving just the wind in his ears and he took that as a sign that Ian was already at the water.Walking back towards the door, Mickey was so tired he didn’t see the dark shapes all around him. He didn’t see how they moved from underneath his back deck and towards the water, towards Ian. He didn’t see the danger.Mickey went in and locked the door behind him, he barely made it back to the bed before he collapsed on top of the sheets and blankets and closed his eyes to the world.**“There’s something about shadows, because you make your own mind up about what’s lurking in them…”-Richard O’Brien