From the Depths

Ren felt like the world had stopped, time standing still as her arms wrapped around him and he sighed into her. The embrace bringing a warmth they both never thought they could experience.

Sitting on the ledge together, he felt comfortable and calm. His breathing soothing as they simply held each other. She looked happy and he was more than content. He nuzzled into her neck, taking the opportunity to breathe her scent in. She didn’t stiffen, instead, she laughed softly, he wasn’t human and yet she didn’t seem to find his movements strange or alarming. She fascinated her.

He didn't know what a hug was, or how to respond. He simply moved in such a way that felt right. His hands found her waist, his fingers bunching the material of her skirts as he held her. His hands soon slid around her back as he pulled her closer to him, returning the embrace and deepening the encounter. Why did this feel so good?

Ren heard her sharp intake of breath as their bodies pressed tightly together. He couldn’t help but smile, he had come to find that he loved the sounds she made. Simultaneously cute and alluring, he wanted to hear more, needed to hear more. He lifted his head, brushing his cheek against hers until his lips were mere inches from her ear.

“Thank you, Kirea.” He whispered.

He felt her shiver against him, what a peculiar reaction. He could feel her heart beating, the rapid pounding of her chest hammered against his own. But he didn’t smell fear from her, instead a sweet scent filled the air as she tensed a little, her limbs coming closer together. What was that? Where was it coming from? He wondered. What was she hiding under those layers of material? The pheromones were so strong.

Kirea was flushed and her breathing turned heavy. His roaming hands were becoming hard to resist. This comforting embrace had turned into something more. She shouldn’t be doing this! But her body wouldn’t listen to her, instead, it was pleading for him to continue, to touch her more, to explore her. Oh, how she wanted him to continue to whisper in her ear with his sweet voice that melted her to her core.

His hand slipped from her back, over her hip again and down to her bare thigh. His fingers traced a line from the outside of her bare skin to under the hitched-up skirts of her dress.

Kirea gripped his hand in a slight panic, stopping him just in time. “Ren, what are you doing?”

His head leaned to the side as they locked eyes. Curiosity and questions flicked in his eyes. “I want to touch you.”

Her breath caught, did he know what he was saying?!

“Can I not?” He asked, those pleading eyes nearly breaking her resolve.

She needed to change this situation and fast! “D-Didn’t you want to show me something?”

He blinked a few times, his eyes opening wider as he recalled. “Yes! Quite right.”

He pulled back, their bodies separating so she could breathe easier again. That had been close, too close, what had she been thinking!? And after what he had just shared, Ren appeared to have a child-like innocence about him. What she had been feeling, it suddenly felt very wrong.

“Could you put out all the lanterns? It will only work without the lights.” He asked before slipping himself back into the water.

She nodded. The small walk around the cavern to blow out the lanterns helped to calm her down. Her heart rate finally back to normal and her embarrassment passed. Her thoughts once again rationalized and not wandering to ungodly places.

The cavern fell into complete darkness, not even the moon was reflected tonight through the cave’s enchanted ceiling, the clouds were blocking out the only beacon she would have had. She could barely tell where the edge of the pool was anymore and had to wait for her eyes to adjust a little before she could risk walking around again.

“Come into the water.” She heard him say.

“Ah, that’s a little difficult for me, I can’t see very well.” She responded honestly.

“Oh! Of course, maybe this will help.”

She watched as a soft glowing light emitted from the pool, she watched it spread and grow. She noticed it moving toward her, noticing the method of movement to be much like his swimming. She gasped, finally taking in what she was seeing, he was glowing! Faint blue patterns lined and dotted his body, spreading down his tail.

“You’re bioluminescent!” She exclaimed.

“I don’t know what that means.” His responded confused.

“It means you can glow.” She laughed.

“Oh, well then yes, I am.” He joined her soft laugh with one of his own. “Come.”

She made her way to the deeper side of the pool and stripped off her dress, placing it in a neat pile behind her. Taking her position at the edge she took a deep breath and dove in. The waters were cool against her warm skin, the feeling refreshing as she righted herself and watched him approach.

Ren dived under the water easily closing the distance between them in one easy movement of his tail.

He was the only thing she could see as she was submerged in the darkness of the waters. Tiny dots of light ran down his cheeks, growing slowly in size as they ran down his neck. The dots morphed in shape as they reached his torso, spreading out and swirling into beautiful patterns that extended down his tail.

She instinctively reached out to touch the glowing skin at his neckline. It was a part of him, his skin still remained silky smooth under her touch.

Taking hold of her hand he turned his back to her before tapping his shoulder. Catching his meaning she swam closer. Wrapping her arms around his shoulders she held onto him as he began to move.

He took them down into the deepest parts of the cavern, glancing over his shoulder he smiled at her. Reaching down with his hand he ran his fingers along the edge of the corals and plants. As his fingers left the objects they appeared to come to life, mimicking his glow. The plants puffed out and grew in vibrancy shining in a beautiful glow. As they moved through the pool a beautiful display of color illuminated the waters around them.

Kirea was in utter amazement, lost in a world under the water she had no idea could ever exist. It was incredible! She held on tight as he continued to light up his beautiful home for her. Soon they slowed and she had barely noticed, her eyes fixated on what was happening around her. It was incredible, magical and breathtaking.

He twisted beneath her hold, turning to face her. Before she could enjoy the site anymore her lungs started to burn and she remembered she couldn’t be under for long. The closeness of their bodies was forgotten as her own jerked in protest, wanting air. She untangled her arms from his shoulder and kicked for the surface.

But he grabbed her.

She tried not to panic as he yanked her back down in front of him.

She couldn’t tell him that she needed air.

Did he even understand that she couldn’t breathe underwater?

She struggled against his hold her body screaming at her to get to the surface.

His hand snaked around her neck while the other clasped her chin, holding her head still.

Then his lips met hers and she froze.

His tongue plunged into her mouth focusing her lips open.

He breathed into her.

She clung to him as she gasped the air he gave her. Their eyes were locked as he helped her calm her breathing. In any other circumstance, she would be embarrassed by the means by which he was helping her. But at that moment she just needed to breathe him in, literally.

He only pulled back releasing her when she was able to once again hold her own breath. She could enjoy the scenery a little longer until the glow soon began to fade, the plants curled in on themselves returning to their natural state as the waters below once again fell into darkness. Then and only then did he lightly pull her to the surface.

Breaching the water she gasped the fresh air, finally able to breathe freely again.

“Sorry.” He smiled sheepishly.

She lightly pushed his shoulder away from her as she wore a frown. “That was mean! Amazing, but mean!”

“I know, I’m sorry.” He laughed enjoying himself. He splashed the water at her, returning her playful banter. “But did you like it?”

“I loved it! It was incredible. I can’t even begin to understand how you do that, but honestly, I don’t care, well I do a little. But it was simply... beautiful.”

“That’s the way our home in the sea is lit. Though I’m not strong enough to make something large glow permanently.” His sad expression tugged at her heart.

“Oh please.” She frowned shaking her head. “Being able to do just this is more than enough. You never need to prove yourself to me.” She watched his sad face turn to a half smile. It was as though nobody had complimented him before.

She allowed her body to drift up, floating on her back as she stared at the dark ceiling.

“Wait on moment, I’ll be right back.” He drove back under leaving her with more questions than answers.

Her eyes opened wide as she could see the glow of the plants and stone beneath her reflected on the walls of the stone above the surface of the water. A moment later he appeared beside her, mimicking her form, though his tail did kick slightly out of the water as he attempted to float on his back like her.

“You’re amazing.” She breathed in absolute awe.

“I wanted to show you that I’m perfectly content here, so you don’t have to worry.”

“If that ever changes it’s okay to tell me.” She added. “I’ll do what I can to make you conformable.”

He shook his head. “As long as you’re coming to visit me, that’s all I could ever want.”

She thought the boy was sweet more than anything. But she also felt a tinge of sadness over the fact that she wouldn’t be around for the years to come.

“How long do Siren’s live for?” She suddenly asked curious.