Work Text:
“How’s the water?”
The man in the pool lifted his head. His black hair cascaded to his shoulders, green eyes shimmering like the water surface. He wore a white shirt underneath a long black coat. The overcoat had a red collar, as vibrant as the red gloves he wore.
Light shone from beneath the water. Despite seeming close, Klein felt that the actual distance to the bottom was far. Even so, the water merely came up to the man’s waist. It appeared he could stand in the pool just fine.
The man smiled at Klein. Extending a hand towards him, the man invited, “Join me and find out.”
A conflicted expression adorned Klein’s features. His lips pursed while his brows furrowed.
The man’s green eyes flickered. A comforting smile graced his lips as he assured, “As long as you hold onto me, you won’t sink to the bottom.”
Klein found himself trusting the man.
Reaching out, he held onto the offered hand.
The man did not pull him. He voluntarily entered the water.
There were no stairs, yet Klein took one step after another, as if platforms took shape under his feet. The water surrounded his legs, enveloping his ankles in icy coldness. Yet, his dress pants remained dry, as if repelling the liquid from seeping into the fabric.
Soon, Klein was in the pool too. The water came up to his chest, stopping right below it.
There was nothing beneath his feet. He could not feel the distinctive pressure of his soles pressing onto a horizontal surface.
Despite such a fact, Klein did not sink.
One hand of his gripped the man’s bicep. the other held onto the man’s shoulder. The fingers on both dug into the thick black coat, displaying his hidden anxiety.
The man rested his hands on Klein’s hips. No effort was applied in supporting his weight. Yet, he felt light and buoyant, as if the simple act of having the man make physical contact with him was enough to keep him afloat.
Klein looked around himself. Then, he raised his eyes to meet the glittering sea green. The man smirked.
“How’s the water?”
Despite the water not penetrating his clothes, Klein could feel the chill seeping through. At that moment, when he was asked that question, he suddenly became aware of the low temperature. He shuddered and leaned closer to the man, instinctively seeking his warmth.
“It’s cold.”
The man moved his hands to instead wrap his arms around his waist. Klein did not protest as the man pulled him into his embrace. Though the water continued to permeate its coldness into his dermis, he could also feel the man’s body heat through the point of contact between their bodies.
The contrast in temperature made Klein shiver again.
A realisation flashed in his mind. He looked at the man with worried brown eyes.
“Leonard, aren’t you cold?”
Though Klein had just encountered the man, he knew the latter had been soaking in the pool for some time. The man did not appear affected by the temperature, but Klein could not be too sure. Perhaps the man was putting up a tough front.
The considerate question prompted a gentle smile to form on Leonard’s face. His gaze turned soft as he made eye contact with Klein’s dark brown. The ocean green shone with endearment, reflecting the light fractures from the pool.
“I’m not cold.”
Leonard’s voice was firm. The steady tone immediately eased Klein’s worry. He nodded.
“I’m glad.”
Leonard cast a glance at his surroundings. Then, he leaned towards Klein, bringing his face close. The proximity brought an involuntary blush to the shorter man’s face, brown eyes widening in surprise and confusion.
Their noses were almost touching. Klein could feel Leonard’s exhales fanning his face. He subconsciously held his breath, anticipating the taller man’s response.
“There’s an underwater kingdom below us. Do you want to take a look?”
Klein’s brows rose as excitement glinted in his eyes. A smile made itself known on his countenance as he nodded enthusiastically.
Grinning, Leonard pulled away. Then, his body leaned back. With the taller man’s arms around his waist, Klein followed the momentum and moved forward.
The two fell into the water. Whatever power had been holding the two up vanished as they started to sink.
Klein had instinctively closed his eyes when submerging underwater. Cracking them open once more, he slowly regained his bearing and vision. He carefully examined their states.
During their descent into the pool, Klein had moved his arms to wrap around Leonard’s neck. Their chests were pressed against each other, legs tangled as they hugged one another. Leonard’s black hair fanned out like a halo, framing his handsome face delicately as deep green eyes gazed adoringly at Klein.
His brown eyes wavered as a smile adorned his countenance in reciprocation.
Leonard unlinked his arms around Klein’s waist. Before the two could float too far from each other, the taller man grasped his elbow and gently allowed it to slide down his forearm. Finally, his broad palm found his smaller hand, intertwining their fingers.
With their bodies apart from one another, Klein realised that both their clothes had disappeared. In place of their legs were mermaid tails—Leonard’s was a pale red while Klein’s was a vibrant gold.
With a smile and nod towards the abyss, Leonard turned and tugged Klein behind him. The latter followed the former downwards, approaching the increasingly darkening bottom of the pool.
As the lack of light surrounded them, Klein was struck by the pleasant surprise of finding their tails exuding light. It appeared that they had bioluminescence, which was convenient for their current venture.
The deeper they went, the lesser the light. Klein was not sure how long they had travelled. He unconsciously gripped Leonard’s hand tighter. Feeling the worry in that action, the taller merman turned around and flashed him a smile. The shorter merman relaxed without noticing that he did, silently following his companion and allowing him to guide the way.
Soon, the scene in front of them opened up. Light burst forth as they entered a different realm. When their environment took shape, Klein gasped in awe.
Before them was a beautiful kingdom. Not far ahead was a palace made up of desaturated dark blue stones. All over its walls were clusters of seashells and starfishes. Below them were the houses made of coral reefs. An assortment of colours filled Klein’s vision as he absorbed the view of the town surrounding the palace.
“Pretty,” breathed Klein.
Leonard looked at him from the corner of his eyes. A fond smile was etched on his face.
“Come. Let’s go to the palace.”
Without resisting, Klein was led to the desaturated stone structure. They approached the window of a tower. There was no barrier separating the inside from the outside.
Leonard passed through first, then Klein.
Despite the lack of a blockade, Klein felt like he was passing through a portal. One moment, they were in the deep ocean; the next, they had entered the warmth of a bedroom above the dry land. With each inch of their body passing through, their bare torso was donned with their clothing again, and their mermaid tails were replaced with cladded legs.
They gently landed on the carpeted floor and took in their new surrounding.
Suddenly, a yawn broke out of Klein. Fatigue seized his psyche as he felt his eyes drooping and body stuttering.
Noticing the change in Klein’s state, Leonard quickly held onto his companion. Then, with a gentle voice, he coaxed, “Let’s get some sleep.”
Klein reluctantly allowed Leonard to bring him to the bed. The mattress was fluffy and soft. When Klein lay on top of it, he immediately sank. The thick and heavy comforter was pulled aside to allow his body to reposed beneath it. Then, Leonard followed behind, covering the two of them with the comforter.
Leonard indulged himself in hugging Klein’s body close to his. The latter lifted his head to look at his companion’s handsome features. Despite the tiredness, a sense of anxiety creeped into his heart, reflecting in his eyes.
Leonard noticed his gaze. However, before he could ask, Klein already spoke.
“Will I see you again when I wake?”
Leonard did not immediately answer.
The continued silence fuelled Klein’s exhaustion. His eyes threatened to close, but he refused to let them. He needed to hear the other’s answer.
“I’ll still be here, silly.”
Klein hummed, though he was not sure whether the other heard him. “Is that so?”
He felt Leonard nodding. Then, his smooth voice resounded again.
“Good night, Klein.”
Klein’s eyes slipped shut. He did not get to return the bid.
When his eyes opened again, the gray fog greeted his vision.
Amidst the quietude, The Fool parted his lips.
“Good night, my dear poet.”