by L. M. Brown
“But it’s like you said, three men together is unusual, and I think we all know it’s not socially acceptable, either.”
“I don’t care,” Jake said. “You, me and Finn… That’s how it’s going to be from now on, and anyone who has a problem with that can deal with it or fuck off.”
Finn grinned widely. “Great, so now that’s sorted, can we have sex?”
Jake shook his head. “Not until we’ve got everything out in the open, including whatever it was that was bothering you yesterday in the pool. Care to fill us in?”
“You could tell I was upset about something?”
“Do I really need to answer that?”
Finn sighed. “I guess not. I’m just worried about going back to Atlantis. My father—King Nereus, that is—won’t be happy to see me again. You’ll remember how we left.”
Kyle cringed. “He was pretty furious, but we’ve heard from others since who’ve seen him, and he seems to have forgiven you.”
“I hope so,” Finn said. “If not, I’ll be spending the rest of my life in the palace dungeons.”
“I’m sure it won’t come to that.”
“You didn’t shoot the king with sea-fire,” Finn reminded him.
Kyle sighed. “He was angry with all of us, if I recall correctly. He threatened to set the sea dragons on us if we went back.”
Finn grimaced. “On the bright side, at least he won’t be able to carry out that particular threat. If they reappear, they won’t need any encouragement from the king to attack us.”
“There is that,” Kyle said with a chuckle. “You do know you don’t have to come with me? It’s my family who are being stubborn about leaving. I should be the one to go talk some sense into them.”
Finn poked Kyle in the ribs. “Your family is our family. If you go back there, we come with you.”
Jake paled and Kyle squeezed the hand that still held his. “You’re Atlantean. You have the ability to survive underwater at great depths and for however long it takes. You just have to believe you can do it.”
Jake snorted. “I know I can do that. It’s the swimming for weeks on end that puts me off the whole idea. I might be Atlantean, but I’m still human. I’m not half fish like you two.”
“I’m sure Medina would be able to help,” Finn suggested. “She really seems to like you.”
“Yeah, so I gather. Her little gifts are just one way of showing me how much.”
“The mind-reading thing is kind of weird,” Finn admitted.
“Not as much as having every man I’m attracted to throwing themselves at me,” Jake replied. “That poor waiter got fired because of me. And I don’t think your family is too impressed with last night either. I feel I need to apologize to everyone, but I don’t know quite what for.”
“Did you really fancy that waiter?” Finn asked.
“I guess I must have or else he wouldn’t have thrown himself at me. But that doesn’t mean I’d have ever done anything with him or even encouraged him. You have to know that.”
“Of course we do,” Kyle said. “We trust you, just as we always have. You know all our secrets. You know who we are, what we are and where we came from. You could have sold us out to some science laboratory or the government as soon as you discovered I was a merman.”
Jake looked at him aghast. “I’d never do that.”
“We know,” Finn assured him, “and don’t worry. I’ve accepted you’ll always fancy my brother.”
“I’m sorry,” Jake said. “I can’t help it, not when he looks just like you.”
Finn grinned. “Well, we are both devastatingly handsome. I’m just thankful he prefers women. Otherwise I’d have to fight him for you.”
“You certainly put in a few good punches last night,” Kyle teased. “I never knew you had it in you to scrap like that.”
Finn laughed and released his arms so he could flex his muscles.
Jake shook his head and tutted. “You do realize we’re now banned from the best restaurant in town because of last night?”
Kyle did know that, and when Finn stopped his preening and hung his head, he could tell the truth had sunk in with him, too.
“Maybe if we go and apologize, they’ll change their minds,” Finn suggested.
“I don’t know,” Jake replied. “That manager was awfully pissed off. Let’s not worry about it. I think finding somewhere else to eat out is probably the least of our problems right now.”
Kyle agreed. “Are there any other issues you think we need to get out into the open?”
“I don’t think so,” Jake said. “We just have to make sure we communicate properly in the future. All of us. Relationships are hard when there are just two of you in them. With three, we’ve got to take extra care that we’re not neglecting one or another of us.”
“Agreed,” Finn said. “So, Kyle, next time you think you’re not being included, let us know.”
“It’s not always that easy, not in public, but I’ll try.”
“And you, Finn,” Jake said. “If you feel you need something from us, sexually or otherwise, you’ve got to speak up, right?”
Finn nodded. “And what about you?”
“I’m going to work hard to make sure you’re both happy.”
“I’m pretty sure that’s not what he meant,” Kyle said. “We’re not stupid, you know. We can tell your powers are growing, and I don’t think it’s just because yesterday was some special occasion for the Goddess of Love.”
Jake ran a hand through his hair. “I’m not sure it was, either,” he admitted quietly. “Yesterday, I know for sure I was hearing the thoughts of those around me, but there have been occasions—not many, but a few—where I already thought that might have been happening, at least with you two anyway.”
“How long has this been going on?” Finn asked.
“A few weeks.”
“What about your other powers?” Kyle asked. “The ones that make people do stuff without them meaning to?”
“I’ve been really careful about what I say to try to avoid that happening again,” Jake admitted.
“Maybe you should test it?” Finn suggested.
“I was considering asking Fabian about it,” Jake replied. “As Medina’s nephew, he seems to know a lot about her and her powers, and I think he might be more forthcoming with information than she is.”
Kyle and Finn both agreed.
“As soon as you get home, track him down,” Finn said. “You can fill me in when I get back.”
“Why? Where are you going?” Jake asked.
“I’ve had enough of that smelly contraption for one day. I think I’d like to swim back instead.”
Jake frowned. “Just be careful you aren’t seen.”
“You worry too much,” Finn teased. “We’ve never been spotted before.”
“I’ll go with him,” Kyle said.
Jake snorted. “So instead of worrying about one merman hiding from the locals, I get to worry about two.”
Kyle pulled Jake into his arms and hugged him tight. “Merpeople have remained hidden from humans for centuries. We know how to be careful. We’ll see you back home later.”
Kyle released Jake and stripped off his clothes. Beside him, Finn did likewise and a few minutes later they ran into the surf, leaving Jake to carry their clothes back to the car.
* * * *
“Aaaah,” Finn said as he stretched his fins. “It’s been so long since I swam in the sea that. I’d forgotten what it feels like.”
“Me too,” Kyle replied. “You’d better make the most of it. When the weather gets warmer, the tourists will arrive in their droves. Then we won’t be able to come out here at all.”
“We’d just have to be careful.”
“No, we’d have to talk Jake into letting us come,” Kyle said. “We both know he’s a worrier, and the warmer weather means we’ll have to make do with the pool.”
Kyle floated on the surface of the sea, his silvery blue tail along
side Finn’s pure silver one.
“Can I ask you something?” Finn said suddenly.
“Of course you can. Didn’t you hear what Jake said about us communicating properly?”
“Yes, I know. I was wondering… What will you do if Lynna refuses to come here?”
“I don’t know,” Kyle answered truthfully. “I’ve not thought that far ahead. I’m hoping she’ll see sense, especially since the sunken city is no longer hidden from predators.”
“Would you stay in Atlantis if she refused to join us in England?”
Kyle twisted around to tread water, so he could face Finn. “You and Jake are my family, and I don’t think either of you would want to live in the sunken city—you because of the bad memories and Jake because he’s human. My place, regardless of what Lynna decides, is with you.”
“But if she won’t leave…”
Kyle took Finn in his arms and kissed him thoroughly, slowly sinking below the waves as he did.
“If Lynna won’t come voluntarily, there are two choices. I leave her there or I bring her here by force. Neither option is particularly appealing.”
“Or you could stay with her,” Finn pointed out.
“That’s not an option. My place is with you and Jake, and nothing my sister decides is ever going to change that.”
Finn didn’t say anything in response, but he deepened their kiss as they ran their hands over each other’s body.
Slowly, they sank below the waves until they landed on the seabed. They spent the next few hours teasing each other with touches, knowing they couldn’t climax in their mer forms but enjoying themselves just the same. Tonight, when the beaches were deserted and it was safe for them to return to shore, they would be so tormented with lust that Kyle knew it would take only the lightest of touches to send him over the edge.
* * * *
The two mermen swam along the coast, carefully avoiding the humans both on and in the water. Thankfully their keen eyesight along with fast moves gave them plenty of warning if they were about to be discovered.
They slept on the seabed during the afternoon. It wasn’t particularly comfortable, but there weren’t any other choices.
Then, when the darkness above indicated the sun had set, Kyle and Finn swam back to the surface.
“Damn,” Finn muttered as they took in the sight of the beach party.
“Why in the world would anyone want to hang out on a beach at night in February?” Kyle asked.
“They look like they’re settling in for a while, too,” Finn commented.
“Don’t they have homes to go to?”
As they watched, another car pulled up and more revelers emerged.
“I bet my dad’s not too happy about them,” Finn said.
“You think he might send them off elsewhere?”
Finn shook his head. “No, he’ll just moan about the noise and tomorrow complain about the mess they leave behind. But I guess we’re going to be sleeping on the seabed tonight.”
“We could try swimming to the next cove.”
“You know the coast as well as I do. Even if we find one that’s clear, it would be a long walk back to Jake, not to mention some clothes. I just hope Jake isn’t too worried.”
“I’m sure he’ll have seen for himself that we’re stuck out here,” Kyle replied. “He’s no doubt at Malcolm’s house right now.”
“At least he’s going to have a comfortable bed to sleep in,” Finn complained.
Kyle laughed. “Poor baby. Come here. You can use me as a pillow.”
Finn elbowed him in the ribs but not hard enough to hurt. “I don’t like you as a pillow. You fidget and you snore.”
“I don’t snore.”
“Yes, you do. I prefer my Jake pillow.”
Kyle sighed. “Yeah, me too. But there’s no point in complaining about it. Let’s just get some sleep and come back up in the morning.”
Chapter Four
“I think they’re going to be stuck out there for the night,” Jake said, as he watched the group of teenagers on the beach.
“No doubt,” Malcolm said. “I’m sure we were never so noisy when I was their age.”
“Yes, you were,” Coral teased. “You have a selective memory. I do hope the boys are being careful and that they won’t risk trying to come ashore until the party is over.”
“I’m sure they’ll stay out of sight,” Jake said. “I’m going to head home for the night and be back in the morning.”
“Are you sure you don’t want to stay here?” Malcolm asked. “Your old room might be taken, but you’re welcome to the couch.”
“No, but thanks for the offer, and apologies again for what happened last night. I hope it didn’t ruin your anniversary too much.”
“Oh, don’t worry about it,” Malcolm said. “Just try to get a hold on those powers you’ve got before they get you into even more hot water.”
Jake grimaced. “I’m trying. Believe me, I’m trying.”
* * * *
Back at the mansion Jake shared with his lovers and their various house guests, it didn’t take long to track down Fabian.
“If you’re looking for your boys, I’ve not seen them,” Fabian said as he glanced up from the job section of the local newspaper.
“They’re swimming offshore and likely to be there until morning.”
Fabian gave him a look of confusion.
“There’s a party on the beach, which means they’re stuck out there until it’s safe to come in.”
“Have they been out there all day?”
“Pretty much.”
“I’m surprised you aren’t out there with them.”
“We drove down the coast this morning. They decided to swim back, but I came in the car.”
“And you’ve been waiting for them all day?”
“Not really. I knew they’d be out there for a while. I’ve been over at Malcolm’s working on the accounts for the business.”
Fabian gestured to the newspaper. “Looking at the jobs available, it seems like accounts are something I should know. I’m not qualified for anything in here.”
“Don’t worry about it. You can stay here for as long as you want. That’s why Caspian gave us such a large place—for all the strays from Atlantis to come to until they find their feet, literally and figuratively.”
“I guess, but I’ve never had to rely on others for shelter and food before. I like being able to pay my way.”
“I’m sure something will come up soon.”
“Easy for you to say,” Fabian muttered. “You and your men have jobs.”
“Yeah, but I’ve worked for Malcolm for years, and while Finn has joined us in the shop, he’s not exactly happy there. ‘Bored out of his skull’ is how he usually refers to himself when he’s there. As for Kyle, he got lucky with the job at the aquarium. A merman held the position before him, and Kyle took over temporarily as a favor while the guy swam off to Atlantis. When he didn’t come back, they hired Kyle permanently. If it weren’t for the fact that Lucas stayed with us while he was tracking down Justin, we’d never have known about the job vacancy, since it wasn’t advertised in the press.”
Fabian sighed. “I hope we aren’t imposing on you.”
“Of course not. I’m happy to have you, and I know the others are, too.”
“Still, I would like us to be able to contribute something while we’re here.”
Jake understood that feeling very well. He had felt uncomfortable accepting the house when Caspian had told him it was his. The sprawling mansion was well out of his price range and were it not for the funds Caspian had provided to Kyle and Finn, they’d have been wallowing in debt for the rest of their lives.
“There is something you could do,” Jake said.
“Just name it,” Fabian replied.
“You and Delwyn could look after this place while we’re gone. I don’t want to put Treacle in the kennels and Malcolm won’t have time to watch him, not when he’s going to
be two members of staff down already.”
“What do you mean?” Fabian asked. “Where are you going?”
“It looks like Kyle’s sister is going to take a bit of persuading to get her to leave Atlantis, so we’re going to travel there to see if we can talk her around. From what Kyle and Finn have said, it takes the mer six weeks or longer to swim there from England, and I’m not mer. I have a feeling two to three months is going to be a more realistic estimate. And that’s just one way… There’s the time we’ll spend there and the swim back, too. I think we’ll be gone at least six months.”
As he spoke, Jake thought of something else Fabian could do to help, too. “We could also have a word with Malcolm about you, and maybe Delwyn, to see if he wants helping out in the sandwich shops. You might not be able to assist with the accounts side of things, but he’d definitely be grateful for the extra sets of hands.”
Fabian nodded. “I think I speak for both of us when I say we’re happy to help. We’ll keep an eye on Marin, too, if you want?”
“I’m not sure Marin will let us leave him behind, however much I think it’s a bad idea for him to go charging after Calder’s murderer.”
“According to Delwyn, Urion has been driven out of the city, along with Mariana and the other sea dragons. Even if he comes with you, there’s no one there for him to attack.”
“But he could swim off in search of him,” Jake pointed out. “I’d rather he stay here, safely out of the way, but I know he won’t like that idea.”
“I guess we’ll have to cross that bridge when we come to it,” Fabian said.
“Yes, though I suspect it might be sooner rather than later. Now, I hate to change the subject, but there’s something else I wanted to talk to you about, too.”
“Yes?”
“You’re Medina’s nephew, so I’m hoping you know more about her powers than I do.”
Fabian chuckled. “My aunt’s powers are all about love, lust and all that sort of stuff. My own were connected to the creatures of the sea—and still are, in fact. Even though my power to survive underwater and my demi-god status have been removed, I do still have a few powers.”
