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Trey rolled over in his sleeping bag for the umpteenth time, unable to sleep. He prepared himself mentally last night but so much happened anyway. The lack of magic. The workout that, even if lightened compared to what the sports club had to endure, was still heavy on his body. His camping outfit reward stressing him more than making him comfortable.
The whirlwind of his thoughts just ended up giving him a short restless sleep, the one he managed to get at least. He was alone in his tent, he wasn’t bothering anyone with his problems but he decided to take a stroll instead of just forcing himself to sleep in his state. Maybe taking a breath of fresh air in the night sky would ease his turbulent state of mind.
He got up and reassured his clubmate, who was watching the fire, that he would just take a short walk. The moonlight was bright enough so Trey didn't even bother to bring a small torch. That way he wouldn’t attract the forest fairies, letting him have a quiet moment to himself.
He wandered through the pathway he crossed that same morning while doing the challenges. Maybe it was just his mood influencing him, but the night forest seemed to have a magical feeling to it. The atmosphere was completely different.
Finally able to find his state of peace, Trey noticed a moving light that he then registered as a firefly. It was only one, but like a moth to a flame, he started following it. At first it was just with his eyes, and yet he felt his legs moving towards it. As he kept chasing it, the lights started multiplying and a faint singing started echoing in his ears. The smell of water coming to him as he followed the fireflies over to the lake.
His surroundings became brighter as he slowly left the shade of the woods behind him walking to the lakeshore. The water was still and dark, reflecting the stars above. The fireflies were flying around the edge and their lights were so bright that it seemed to light up the entire lake. It was a peaceful and mystical place compared to what he saw that morning.
A splash snapped him out of his state of trance and then he saw it. A beautiful figure dancing in the middle of the lake. The droplets coming from the water splashes shone under the moonlight making a familiar teal color stand out in particular. As Trey approached the edge of the lake, he started picking up the features of the creature in front of him, recognizing who he was.
“Trey?”
Two mismatched eyes met his, making him flinch a bit as he finally snapped out of whatever spell he was caught under. He acknowledged Jade’s presence as he gazed at the merman turning to him and swimming towards the bank. Trey found himself unable to take his eyes off the long shape emanating a faint teal glow making it visible underwater.
“Were you spying on me?”
Jade resurfaced on the edge of the lake, a teasing smile on his face as he addressed the other.
“What? No no, I was just… I just ended up here while taking a stroll, I would’ve never thought you were here.”
“Is that so?”
Trey knelt down, a hand scratching the back of his head. He wasn’t lying but he did get caught staring at him, so he felt a little embarrassed. He still didn’t know where to look. He remembered hearing Ace and Deuce talking about the Leech Twins’ mer-form but this was beyond what he imagined them to be.
“So what are you doing? Taking a nightly swim?”
“Yes, it’s been a while since I let myself be in my real form, so I thought I could come here and enjoy this mountain lake.”
“I see.”
Trey didn’t really know what to say and it didn’t help that he was distracted by this appearance of Jade he never saw until now. He was no stranger to his feelings towards the second-year student. He just kept them hidden inside him, thinking that it was just a temporary crush he had that would never blossom in the first place.
How wrong of him. Even after all those times he tried to suppress them, during their casual encounters at the botanical garden or during Vice Housewarden meetings, this training camp just made him realize that it was definitely no little crush. They were in separate groups but Trey still managed to catch a glimpse of Jade’s happiness. Genuine happiness. It was like the merman was having the time of his life, finally able to share his passion with others, and Trey could feel those emotions inside him rising up again.
“What brings you here instead, Trey?”
“I… couldn’t sleep. I guess I let the first day take a toll on me already”
“My, that’s not like you”
“Instead, you seem to enjoy every moment of this camp, unlike me and many other students”
“Of course, how could I not enjoy the very essence of the Mountain Lovers Club!”
It was like flipping a switch, had he ever seen Jade this talkative? Probably not, not even when showing off the mushrooms he grew in the botanical garden. Trey didn’t care though, right now he was basking in the enthusiasm that the merman was emanating while talking about his hikings and experiences. Jade's passion made up for the fact that he was the only member of his club.
Trey listened to Jade, sometimes nodding and giving short answers showing that he was paying attention. In reality, Trey’s eyes were more focused on registering every feature of Jade’s real form. His fins, his pale face, his webbed white claws, the tip of the tail that popped up off the water surface at some point. He looked like his human form but at the same time, his merform was even more beautiful than he already was.
“Your staring is quite penetrating”
“Uh- Ah no, sorry Jade, I didn’t mean to stare. It’s just…”
Trey backed away, but two sharp fingers took his chin and forced him to maintain eye contact with the merman. Taken by surprise, he fell on his back almost losing his beanie.
“It’s fine, I actually like it. The way you’re looking at me. “
Jade pushed himself up, leaning his torso over the edge of the lake and making his way between Trey’s legs who didn’t dare to budge. Their eyes remained locked onto each other. They were so close Trey could see every single droplet of shining water dripping from the merman’s hair and skin.
“Do you perhaps like me, Trey?”
“Am I being that obvious?”
“Usually you’re better at hiding your feelings.”
“I’m not sure anymore. Not if it’s you.”
A cold scaly hand caressed his cheek. Trey responded by extending his hand to push Jade’s black strand behind his ear. Their faces moved closer to each other, enough for both of them to feel the other’s breath on their skin. But a finger pressed against Trey’s lips before they could seal the deal. Jade whispered, his breath tickling his ear.
“Then can I ask permission to seduce you?”
“Aren’t you already doing it?”
The green haired boy felt shivers going down his back as the other’s lips brushed down from his ear to his chin. He could feel the satisfied grin on his skin.
“So are you letting yourself be bewitched by a siren?”
Trey smiled on the other’s finger. His eyes narrowed, giving the merman a look full of repressed desire and feelings. His hand tangled in the still wet teal hair.
“I’ve been caught under your spell for a while now, Jade.”
He knew he lost the moment he approached the merman that night. Deep inside his heart, he knew it would’ve happened sooner or later. He listened to his enchanting song and now he fell victim to it and was about to drown in his own lust and desire.
Jade grinned with his sharp teeth and pressed their lips together, wrapping his arms around Trey’s neck to bring him closer. The other leaned into the merman’s touch, finally allowing himself to feel Jade’s skin on his hands by caressing it but without crossing the line.
The kiss was slow and soft at first as if they were testing the waters, but as time passed it became more frantic and impatient. His beanie was lost on the ground when the merman’s hands reached his hair. Trey was allowed to catch his breath for a split second as he felt sharp teeth nibbling on his lower lip.
Eventually, Jade started pulling him over the edge, their mouths locked together again. They didn’t break out of it even when they dropped down into the dark water. Trey didn’t flinch and just kept reciprocating, resting his hand on the merman’s hips and feeling his tail wrapping around him, as they slowly sank down in the lake depths.
It was said that sirens lured sailors to their death with their enchanting songs. Charming them and then pulling them to the abyss of the ocean. Trey knew he was one of them, but he didn’t care. He wanted to drown in that sweet temptation.
Sinking had never been so delightful.