Chapter 2.
"Oi!" There was a slight pressure on Luke's back and he groaned. "Oi!" The same pressure, a little harder and Luke looked up. He was momentarily blinded by the sun and scrunched up his face until, gradually, a middle-aged sailor took shape. The man was nudging him with his shoe.
"Yer drink too much, lad?" The man bit into an apple and Luke's stomach churned with hunger.
"No." Luke croaked through a bone-dry throat and coughed.
The man frowned. "What then? Can't have yer lying about here. Yer in the way!"
Luke struggled to sit up - his face stung in the sun and he knew he must be burned. "I fell overboard The Goodwish. The Merchant ship."
"Ah! Roberts is it?" The man's frown eased and he hauled Luke up by his scrawny arm. "Yer lucky then lad! Yer don't look like much but yer must have a swimmers strength alright!"
Luke flinched and staggered back, clutching his shoulder. "I got bit." He explained.
"Lemme see." The man pushed his ragged shirt down and whistled. "That looks like a right nasty fish got yer! The angels must be watching over yer lad. Come this way."
The man gestured towards the town and Luke staggered after him.
"Jane-girl!" The man yelled as he pushed open the door to a pub. The closing door nearly smacked Luke in the face, but he managed to take the blow on his side and shuffled in.
"That's Mistress Jane to yer, brute!" A large woman shook a rag at them from where she polished off a table.
"Sisters don't get that title!" The man grinned and jerked a thumb at Luke. "I found a stray. Roberts lad washed ashore last night. Do yer think yer can find a job for him 'till next season?"
"Hm." The woman tossed down the rag and marched to inspect the boy.
Luke gulped but forced his tired back as straight as it would go.
She inspected him from head to toe, frowning all the while. Her hair was a fiery red, turning white at the temples. Her dress was modest but straining around a generous chest and middle.
"Went overboard did yer? And a wee lad like yer managed to swim all this way?" She cocked her head at him.
"Yes ma'am." Luke wet his lips and tried to steady his voice.
"Got mauled the boy did." The man pushed down Luke's shirt for Jane's inspection.
Her eyes softened. "A right terrible night yer must have had. I think I have some room in the kitchen for yer. Yer can wash a dish, yer reckon?" She arched a brow at him and Luke nodded furiously.
"Yes! I used to help my mom all the time." He assured her, hope leaving him lightheaded.
She smiled and gave a short nod. "Right this way then. Tom, I'll be seeing yer ugly mug later for a pint?"
The man, Tom, laughed and saluted her. "Aye, as always." He strolled out the door.
Luke hurried to match the woman's long strides and found himself in a bustling kitchen.
"This here's Fred, Marge and Betsy. They'll fill you in on what needs to be done, but the main hand yer'll be listening to is Marge. The best cook in Grimsvale bay!" She slapped a strong but motherly looking figure on the shoulder and Marge barked out a laugh.
"Betsy here's our serving girl. Bets! Yer have siblings don't yer?" Betsy wiped her sweaty brow with the back of her hand and nodded.
"Too many, Mistress Jane!" She answered and Jane laughed.
"This boy here's been swimming all night with a bitten shoulder." She gestured for Luke to sit and nodded at Betsy. "Think yer can fix him up?"
Betsy frowned. "I might. If it's not too serious." She brought clean rags and a pale of water to the table. Luke fought to keep quiet while she dabbed his wound with astringent soap.
Jane informed him the merchants wouldn't be returning for another season. Until then Luke was welcome to room and board at the pub - so long as he worked for it.
Marge sat a glass of milk and a plate of cheese with freshly baked bread in front of him and the boy nearly wept with gratitude. This was more than he could have hoped for. Betsy wrapped up his shoulder, deeming it satisfactory.
Jane smiled at his thanks and ruffled his dirty blonde hair. "Off to bed with yer now. Yer no use to me dead on yer feet. But I expect yer bright and early tomorrow morning! I don't allow no slackers in me fine establishment."
Fred snorted a laugh but Luke nodded eagerly.
Betsy showed him to a tiny chamber. There was only space for a shabby bed and rickety chair by a small window - to Luke it was heavenly.
The bedsheets were scratchy but clean and the window let in a soft sea breeze. He sighed happily around his full stomach and slept.
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Something woke him later that night. A strange falling sensation and he clutched the sheets, sitting upright. His heart pounded as the room slowly aligned itself. His shoulder ached. A promise. He had somewhere to be.
There was a new shirt folded roughly on his chair and a pair of brown pants. The shirt's color was faded and had clearly seen many uses but it was soft and fit well. The pants were too large and he had to fold the fabric several times and tuck in his shirt to make them stay on his hips.
He carefully opened the window and looked out. There was a pipe leading a few windows down to the cobblestone road. He took a breath and squeezed through the small gap, for once grateful for his scrawny build, and slid down the pipe. His bare feet squelched in the mud, but he was accustomed to that and shook his feet, before rushing down the dock.
Drunken laughter ghosted through the night but other than that the bay was eerily silent. Luke selected a pier and hurried to the edge. He knelt and stared into the black water.
"Hello?" He called softly. There was no reply. Just the beat of the waves against the planks and the groaning noises of wood on water.
Luke moved to the other side and tried again.
"Hello? I'm here."
There was a splash behind him and he startled violently. His leg slipped over the edge and he caught himself on his stomach. Just as he was pulling up there was a second splash and he gave a strangled cry as a hand wrapped around his ankle - he was pulled into the water and sank deep.
The sea bed beneath the pier must be irregular to let him drop so far below the surface. He writhed and caught a glimpse of yellow eyes, before a firm mouth locked over his. Luke breathed in blessed air and clutched the Merboy's slim body. He closed his eyes against the sting of salt, and concentrated on breathing only through his mouth, as they swam through the sea.
Something bumped against his hand and he curiously spread his fingers. The Mer had slight ridges protruding from his spine. Luke counted three, before stilling his hand, and tightening his arms. He didn't want to lose his grip and be lost in the dark waters.
They swam for a while and the rhythm of breath and the brush of water was almost hypnotic. They finally broke the surface and Luke coughed, spewing water out of his nose. The Merboy beside him was coughing as well and Luke cleared his throat several times before speaking.
"Do you lose air too?" He asked.
The Merboy flashed sharp teeth in a grin. "Yes, I have to filter it and I can only do it for so long."
Luke watched his gills fluttering on that long neck and had to tighten his fingers to keep from touching them. He looked around instead. They were on a small, secluded beach. Cliffs jutted up; shielding them from view. The Mer maneuvered them to a smaller rock.
"Up." The Merboy pushed Luke against the edge and Luke scuffled up, settling against soft moss and watched in fascination as the Mer did the same. The Mer dug in his claws and lifted - pulling a seemingly endless tail along with him. Luke counted three and a half meters. There was still a finned shape partially submerged once the Mer perched alongside him.
The moonlight was clearer than the previous night and Luke could see the boy's skin was more ashy white than grey. His scales had a slightly iridescent purple glow and were very fine on his face and chest.
His tail was more densely scaled and had multiple fins running down the sides. When Luke's eyes returned to his face the Mer grinned and his tongue was a dark grayish-blue, instead of black.
"Interesting, aren't I?" The Mer asked him, eyes narrowing in amusement.
Luke nodded, dumbly. The Mer abruptly placed one slim hand up his shirt and Luke yelped in surprise. Those claws flexed lightly before stroking over his smooth chest.
"You're so warm." The Mer said. "You can touch me if you like."
Luke's eyes widened and his eyes ran over the Mer's form - not sure where to start. He finally settled on his hair, carefully running his hand over the inky surface. The texture was stronger than Human hair and smooth as glass.
He moved onto his chest and felt those sleek scales. Brushing downward they felt soft and even, going upwards they felt rough and sharp. The Merboy hissed and Luke jerked his hand back.
The Mer caught his wrist. "It just itches." He explained and placed Luke's hand back on his chest.
The Mer watched him intently. "I'm Ruuk..." He made a few more clicking and singsongy notes Luke couldn't possibly mimic.
"Ruc...cucu." Luke stumbled over the name and the Merboy shook with laughter.
"Ruc is fine." He said.
"I'm Luke. Lukas, actually. How can you speak my language?" Luke ran his hand down Ruc's waist and marveled at the foreign feel of it. Ruc's fingertips played curiously over Luke's nipples and collarbone, clearly doing the same.
"I was taught as a small fry. All Merfolk are. We're intelligent." He slanted Luke a look, as if to say 'unlike Humans'.
Luke bit his lips and looked down. "I'm not very smart." He admitted.
His mom had patiently tried to teach him how to read and write but for some reason the words eluded Luke. Letters seemed to tumble across the pages and even the thought of it brought out a cold sweat on his brow. His mom had always assured him she loved him anyway. Luke knew he would have to work hard to provide for her and his sister.
The Mer's hands slid to his side and tugged him closer.
Luke slipped on the moss and fell on his back. "What are you doing?"
Ruc slipped his hands beneath Luke and rolled on top of him. The angle was awkward with Luke's legs in the way and they rocked ominously over the edge of the small rock. The boy squeaked and opened his legs and Ruc settled firmly against him. Cold flesh pressed down on him and the Mer hissed out a sigh. He resumed exploring Luke's chest with his webbed fingers.
"What are these?" He asked, flicking Luke's nipple.
"Uhm.." Luke licked his lips nervously. "Those are my nipples. It's for when a mother feeds her baby."
Ruc's eyes widened. "You're female?"
"What? No!" He pushed against the Merboy's shoulders but Ruc only caught his wrists and grinned.
"Then why do you have these?" The Mer asked.
"I..I don't know. Women's are bigger. Their...Their chests are bigger. For milk." Luke gave up struggling and his arms went limp beneath Ruc's steely fingers.
"Milk?" Ruc bent down and sucked a nipple into his cold mouth. Luke gasped and arched back - but there was nowhere to go. His dick stirred.
"Stop! Don't do that!" He shouted. Kicking his legs and trying to picture Mr. Roberts hairy backside. Anything to prevent a hard-on.
The Mer thankfully raised his head. "So it has no purpose? Should I bite it off?" He flashed his sharp teeth and bent down again.
"No!" Luke cried and felt panicked tears fill his eyes. "It has a purpose! It tickles!"
Ruc froze and burst into hissing laughter, resting his head on Luke's chest. "That's a fine purpose!" He finally wheezed and slid one long, blue tongue out to flick a nipple.
"Nn." Luke squirmed, trying to picture grandmas and grammar lessons.
Ruc seemed content to just rest his cheek against Luke's beating heart for the moment. The cool cheek against his skin warmed slowly to match the Human boy's temperature.
Ruc made a soft trilling noise and lifted, only to push Luke's shirt open and rest his whole body against bare skin.
Luke squirmed and gasped against the cold but Ruc made another contented noise.
"You felt my back earlier." Ruc hissed. His clawed hand pushed beneath the arch of Luke's back and ran up - pushing their bodies closer. "Yours is smooth."
"Yeah." Luke felt his dick harden completely. He closed his eyes in humiliation but Ruc made no comment.
"Do you want to feel it again?" The Mer asked.
A/N: Dum dum duuuum ^^ Don't forget to comment and like!
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