Coby relaxed and sat back once more, his gaze going back to Ash who grinned at him. “Thank you for taking care of this,” he said, pointing at his head. Ash knew he didn’t just mean the gash.

“Sure,” he said with a tiny shrug.

Abel patted the metal bar at the end of the bed a couple times, a sign he was ready to leave. “Alright,” he said gruffly. “Get some rest. I’ll be back in the morning. Ash, make sure you make it to your next class on time, got it?”

Ash’s expression fell and he rolled his eyes. Coby snorted softly, a tiny smile parting his small lips.

“Sure thing, Dad,” the human grumbled. He made no move to leave, his fingers resting dangerously close to where Coby’s had slid.

Abel replaced his hat on his head and gestured to the doctor to follow him out of the room so they could talk for a moment. The nurse took that opportunity to leave entirely.

When it was just the two young men alone in the room, the entire atmosphere shifted. It felt both relaxed and anxious all at once, probably because neither of them knew what to really say. Coby was reeling from all the emotions and sensations storming through him regarding Ash and what he could possibly be to him, while Ash was intrigued and concerned for the merman in the bed. He was in trouble, that was for sure. Four guys had chased him down on the beach? Why? What did they want from Coby? Were there more like them who might come after him if they knew he was in Marina Bay?

What would Ash do if they found him?

“Thank you,” Coby said, a genuine smile on his face, pulling Ash from his thoughts. “For understanding why I can’t say anything right now.”

“Oh, yeah, sure,” Ash said, nodding. “I figured you have your reasons, and it wasn’t like you were trying to lie about it.”

“A lie is poison to the soul and mind,” Coby said simply. “Once it takes hold, it spreads and kills the body.”

Ash’s lips curved in the most beautiful crooked grin Coby had ever seen. His heart skipped and he prayed the heat racing up his spine didn’t reach his face.

“Speaking of protecting the body,” Ash said, his gaze roaming over Coby’s body, taking in what was and wasn’t exposed. “Are you able to cover yourself with your second skin yet?”

Coby’s brow furrowed. “My shadow scales?”

Ash nodded. “Yeah, the ones no one can see but prevent anyone from touching you. I know you couldn’t earlier when you were wound up, but now that you’re a little more calm, do you think you can now?”

Coby turned the hand that wasn’t lying on the bed next to Ash’s over and back. “I’m not sure,” he admitted. “My energy is still really weak, so it wouldn’t be as effective if I were able to right now.”

“At least give it a shot. The doctor and nurses won’t always wear gloves while they’re taking care of you, so even if it’s just a really thin barrier, it can give you some peace of mind knowing they’re not touching you.”

“A barrier,” Coby mumbled, flexing his fingers. “I never considered that, actually.” He focused on his energy, and after a moment, a faint glow raced over his skin, bringing a grin of almost childlike glee to Ash’s face. Unfortunately, it faded a half-second later. Coby looked crestfallen. “Damn,” he muttered.

“It’s okay,” Ash reassured him. “Like the doc said, you’re healing. It could take some time.” 

“Yeah,” Coby said, his gaze going out the window.

Ash watched him, not wanting to leave but knowing he had to. This boy wasn’t much younger than himself and he was absolutely gorgeous. Not to mention the sound of his voice, the way he smelled like the sea, his natural warmth, and the way he just felt so drawn into Coby, Ash couldn’t get enough. He’d known this boy for less than thirty minutes, and already he wanted more of him. More of his time, more of who he was.

“Will you come back?” Coby asked quietly.

Ash sat up straighter. “What?”

Coby turned back to him. “I’d like you to come back and see me while I’m here. Please?”

“Y-yeah, sure,” Ash chuckled nervously. “If you want, yeah, I can come back. I’d…really like to, actually.”

Coby’s eyes gleamed. “Really?”

“Yeah,” Ash said. “You seem really cool and I’d like the chance to get to know you more before you have to leave. Plus, I know what it’s like to be stuck somewhere alone without anyone you know around. It’s pretty shitty.”

A buzzing coming from Ash’s pocket made them both jump slightly, more so Coby than Ash as the human pulled his phone out and checked the notification.

“Shit,” he hissed under his breath. He stood up and groaned. “It’s Colin, I gotta get going.”

“Colin?” Coby asked, one eyebrow lifting. 

“My friend from school,” Ash explained, tapping his thumbs hurriedly over the screen before pocketing the device once more, his green eyes finding Coby’s easily. “He’s freaking out because I haven’t told him what’s going on yet. Plus, he doesn’t want me to be late for class again.” He slid his hands into his jacket pockets.

“Oh,” Coby said, trying to understand but failing. “Class for what?”

“I’m in college,” Ash said. “I go to the local campus here in town.” Before he could say more, his phone buzzed again. His eyes darkened with irritation as he pulled it back out. He replaced it almost immediately. “Anyway,” he muttered. 

The two held each other’s gaze for several beats, neither of them wanting Ash to leave but knowing he had to. Ash’s lips quirked up in that cute crooked grin again and Coby relaxed into the bed once more.

“I should go,” he said. “I’m glad you’re okay. And thank you for letting me help you. It really was an honor.”

Coby smiled easily. “You showed respect for my culture, I couldn’t overlook that.” His head tilted slightly to the side, his braids sliding over his shoulder. “When will you come back?”

“Soon,” Ash promised, a glint in his eye. “Very soon.”

**

The second the door closed behind Ash Turner, Coby turned his gaze to the cabinets above the sink counter. He could feel the magic pulsing within, felt the energy as it flowed from the whale-skin pouch into the room, permeating his skin and caressing his soul. He swallowed hard as he recognized what the Flame was telling him, what it wanted him to acknowledge…what he had been trying to deny since the very moment Ash had walked into that room.

He shook his head, his chin trembling. It wasn’t that he believed the energy was wrong, he knew it wasn’t. It was that he knew he couldn’t pursue this fated connection even if he wanted to. For one, he had to focus on getting better, laying low, and getting the Flame to the temple in the south before he inadvertently drew unwanted and unneeded danger to the town.

For two, merfolk, especially Sarathians, did not get involved with humans. Even now he could hear his father’s voice ringing in his ears.

“Humans are cruel and heartless, Co-Bieasah,” he said, his eyes hard and voice stern. “They do not know how to show genuine affection, and they have no understanding of true love or connection. Do well to stay far from them, son. No matter what, never give your heart to a human.”

Coby reached up and gently touched the carefully placed bandage on the side of his head directly under his acolyte’s braids. He stared at the hand upturned on his lap, a single tear rolling down his nose to land in the center of his palm.

What his father or any of the other elders in his city hadn’t told him was what he should do if he were to find that one of those humans he was cautioned away from just so happened to be his eternal mate.

His soulmate.

**