Epilogue
EPILOGUE
A few days later, Kent sat in his desk chair of his study while Mo took the armchair and sat by his side. His desk was decorated with the glow of the sea crystal Mo preciously gifted him back around when they’d first met, sitting tidy in a small wicker basket along with the seaweed-woven lily flower and every other gifted seashell, and now joining it was the other crystal from Mo’s necklace.
One thing Kent did to ‘teach Mo how to be a human’ was teaching him how to read and write, and currently Kent was going over more basics. Mo had already memorized the alphabet now, and was recognizing small words, along with their own names spelt out. He was a fast learner, and Kent was thrilled each time Mo progressed further. Mo told him it was because he thought him a wonderful teacher, but Kent said otherwise, no, Mo was just simply brilliant. He knew Mo would be reading fluently in no time.
Katherine’s wedding to Sir Randolf was coming up in a few months, and while Mo was working on his letters, Kent was doing his sister a favor sorting through her mail. He also had quite a bit of his own he needed to read, seeing as it piled up from his absence out at sea. To others, it would seem like a lot of tedious work, but Kent didn’t mind. He was devising a plan and sending letters to various citizens of Stubbington to announce he would be setting up his own physician’s practice here at Fareham House. Wanting to settle down, preparing for his eventual inheritance as the Earl himself, he figured it was the best course of action with his drive. He never wanted to give that up, doing good for others. Mo was also excited, and told him he loved him ever so, that Kent was the sweetest creature with a kind heart, helping those in need.
Mo told Kent he saw him as an inspiration, someone he wanted to emulate. It made Kent’s cheeks warm— oh, you always speak so highly of me —but Mo insisted . “As a siren, I vow to do better,” he’d said. “Throughout the whole time I’ve known you, you’ve helped me grow into the best man I can be, whether you’ve realized it or not. Who saved who, exactly?”
It was so sweet, and Kent blushed even now thinking about it, sorting through his letters with his beloved Mo sitting to his left.
Some days ago, Kent played his harpsichord for Mo, singing along with the melody. Whilst he thought he was somewhat rusty, not having played in some time, Mo was just about amazed. He never failed to tell Kent how beautiful his music was. Kent’s heart swelled at every compliment, his body feeling warm when Mo sat next to him on the bench. He also let Mo dabble around on the harpsichord himself, curious, creating a song of his own as he pressed on the keys.
Also in recent days, Katherine showed Mo the wonders of painting. She was a hobbyist and only painted for herself, never for commission, but such a thing didn’t matter to Mo. Kent had watched over their study sessions and took joy in the awe in Mo’s eyes, heart warming as Mo’s brush mixed the paint. One of his test paintings was on the floor leaning against the wall of his study now. Kent peered over his desk to see it, and butterflies fluttered in his chest, looking at the azure blue canvas and the adorable little painted fish.
“Oh Mo,” Kent mused, caught in his thoughts and putting one of the letters back in its envelope. “I sometimes think of how queer it is that I fell in love with a fish. You silly fish-man, you.”
Mo’s face cracked in a huge, endearing grin, laughing a hearty chuckle. “I’m not quite a fish anymore with human legs, mind you. But I suppose that no matter what, I’m still a merman by blood.”
Kent smirked. “Therefore, still like a fish.”
“Yes, still like a fish.”
Kent grabbed another letter, this one of a request for a chef to cater for Katherine’s wedding party. “You know, throughout my life and up until recently, I’d always thought I would get married, too. But now, of course, that will never happen. How I wish it wasn’t forbidden for two men to get married, Mo, for I would marry you in a heartbeat.”
Mo gave him a smile, putting his hand on Kent’s knee. “It’s the sentiment that counts. Whether it’s allowed by society or not, our love is still true.”
“Absolutely.” He put his own hand on top of Mo’s. “However…” —he swallowed— “I still haven’t told Father about the nature of our relationship. He knows how I don’t wish to be married, but I believe he suspects it’s merely because there aren’t any ladies I enjoy. Which is partially true, but he doesn’t know how I feel about you… It won’t just be him that believes that either, no, everyone who doesn’t know the truth will think along those lines.”
Mo squeezed his knee gently. “I do remember how we’ve talked about how humans view people like us. ‘Sodomites’, as you called it. How we have to hide ourselves.”
“Yes, you know.” Kent nodded, his mouth forming a flat line. “It also means that… we can’t ever have children of our own. Which, I’m fine with, I don’t mind being childless, but my father will be saddened that there won’t be an heir after me. With him or I not having any brothers, the earldom will dissolve, once it’s my time.”
“Oh Kent, please don’t talk about such things.” Mo leant closer in his seat and gave Kent a soft kiss on his cheek. “I don’t want to think about you leaving this world, even if it’s not to happen for a long, long time. What matters is that we’re happy as we are now.”
Kent flipped Mo’s hand on his knee so he could thread their fingers together. “Yes, you’re right. I’m sorry. It probably is just best to think of the here and now. Living a life together, with you.” His heart fluttered, and he smiled. “And… even if I don’t have children, it’s not like the Wilson lineage will truly end. Katherine plans to hopefully have at least a couple of her own with Randolf.”
“That’s wonderful! You’d be an uncle, then.”
“ We’d be uncles, you mean.”
“But Katherine isn’t…” Mo at first looked confused, but then his face lit up in a smile as well. “Yes, if I were her brother-in-law, I’d be an uncle, too.”
Kent couldn’t contain his joy, overriding any melancholy he was feeling on prior subjects. A future, a bright one, together with the one he loved. Each day he was living it with Mo, now a human sitting right next to him, and he knew he should focus on that. They would be all right. He leant forward in his chair and kissed Mo’s lips, sealing his love as a promise to be kept.
Later that day into the evening, Mo snuck into Kent’s room and slid into his bed, just like every night. Despite living here for about half a moon now, he still couldn’t be open about how this room was more his own than the one officially assigned to him, and didn’t know if he ever could be, fearing servants might gossip about them. But Mo was fine with it, as long as he could be close to Kent every day regardless. They still could hold each other when they were alone, and somehow, that felt more intimate. Soft touches and warm embraces that only they could see. Kisses that were meant only for them . Mo would keep Kent as his. Only his, as if it were their own little secret.
Thankfully, with their plan for Mo to serve as Kent’s valet, it felt like they had all the time alone to themselves in the world.
Dressed in only their nightshirts, Mo put his arm over Kent’s waist as they lay facing each other in the bed. Kent looked so beautiful, with his brown locks streaming over his shoulders, his lips parted slightly, and his gorgeous eyes gazing back at Mo through long lashes. He appeared more feminine without the scruff on his face anymore, but however he was, Mo loved him all the same. He kissed him then, as he always did, longing to ever be close to him.
Kent moved his hand down further, over Mo’s hip, tucking his fingers under the ends of his nightshirt. It sent a wonderful shiver down Mo’s spine. It tingled in his belly, even causing his prick to stiffen. Such a thing still felt strange to him, having been used to how he felt as a merman, but he was adjusting well enough, he could say. Over all the times he’d pleasured Kent with his mouth this past fortnight, it came as no surprise that each time it made Mo painfully hard. But he never asked for a release, never wished for anything done in return, not when there was still some pain lingering from his transformation.
But as time went on, he felt the pain less and less. Today, as Kent lifted up Mo’s shirt and it excited him more—he could honestly say he felt no pain at all. Even after shifting back into a merman a few days ago, now he felt only pleasure. It really was getting easier. His chest warmed with delight as he kissed Kent harder, opening his mouth, tasting his partner’s desire on his tongue.
“Kent,” he said as their lips parted ways. “This feels wonderful. I… I’m not in pain anymore.”
“Truly?” His color-contrasted eyes sparkled. “I suppose you haven’t been complaining of any lately, and you don’t need assistance walking anymore.”
“No, not at all.” He smiled, then moved his hand, brushing against Kent’s chest before he cupped his face. “I’ve been waiting for a time when I felt comfortable, you know.”
“Yes, I know you have.” Kent chuckled as he lifted Mo’s shirt even further, exposing his nipple. “Are you saying that… you want to…?”
“Kent, I desperately want to fuck you.”
Kent’s face turned bright red and his hand momentarily halted. “Well, Mo, when you say it like that… um… I…” He swallowed, and gently thrust his hips against Mo’s. “I would very much enjoy that, too.”
Mo’s eyes fluttered shut, returning the thrust, pressure building between his legs. Oh , did that feel good. “It’s been about a moon since last time I did, can you believe it? And then, I still had my tail. But I want to make love to you with the body I have now. This is how I wish to stay, after all. Together with you. I want to be inside you, connected.”
Kent kissed him, pressing their bodies as close as they could allow. Mo’s cockstand rubbed against Kent’s, only the fabric of Kent’s shirt separating them ever slightly. Not close enough . “Please, Mo,” said Kent. “I’d love you to ravish me. Take me as you’ve wanted to. I’ve wanted you as well, here, in my bed.”
Mo smirked. “It’ll be strange… I’m a different shape now. I’m just like you. It’s not as slick, either…”
Kent pecked his lips. “That doesn’t matter to me. Don’t you think I like that you’re like me, now? But I like you either way, human or merman. It’s still you . I’ve told you that before.” He laughed. “And also, with everything I’ve already seen of you as a human, I’d say your size is very comparable to your merman form.”
“All right, all right, I suppose so.” Mo laughed too, and grinded his cock against Kent further. “But what of the slickness? Humans don’t produce the same oil merfolk do; how do you make it smooth?”
“Well, women have a natural wetness, but… not men. Though, I was pondering about that and thought ahead, so we could be prepared for whenever you felt ready. And… I grabbed some oil from the kitchen that I think will help us out.”
Kent then sat up and reached over to the nightstand next to the bed. He opened the drawer, and pulled something out: a bottle, only slightly bigger than his hand.
“Oh,” said Mo, sitting up on his elbows, as his eyes widened and he pouted his lips. “That would work.”
With a sly smile on his face, Kent set the bottle on top of the nightstand, then proceeded to pull his shirt over his head, leaving himself naked. Oh, was his nude form always a wonderful sight to behold. He lay back down on the bed, reaching for Mo’s chest, tugging at his shirt as well. “I believe you need this off.”
“Absolutely.”
Mo sat up straight to pull off his clothing, along with kicking the blanket that was on them aside. Once nude himself, he rolled on top of Kent, their cocks flushed against each other. Such a feeling felt so surreal, as Kent spread his legs, letting him near, and Mo’s own knees dug into the bedding, holding himself in place. He rocked his hips, chasing the amazing sensation that sent shocks throughout. It was thrilling, and not just that—he could feel the magic that connected them pulsing in his chest.
“Do you feel it too, darling?” He rocked against Kent again, the friction of their stands rubbing together pumping his adrenaline. “The magic within us, what connects us to each other.”
“Yes, I feel it.” Kent planted his feet on the bed, around Mo, and thrust his hips upward. “It only makes this feel more intense…” His words ended with a sensuous moan.
As wonderful as something as simple as this felt, he knew it could be even better. “Let me use the oil,” said Mo. “I want to prepare you for me.”
Kent moaned again, stirring his hips before he spoke, “Yes, please.”
Mo sat up on his knees to reach over for the bottle on the nightstand. He pulled out the cork, pouring a generous amount into his palm, then quickly set the bottle back down so he could lay atop Kent once more. With his slicked hand, he reached between themselves, grabbing both their cocks and stroking them together. Oh , did it ever feel marvelous. Each stroke he made pulsed the magic—all feelings of oddness due to his new human body were swept aside as pleasure swirled in his belly.
It was familiar, yet different. The first time he’d been sexual with Kent, they did it just like this. Only now, he could move better out of the water with his legs, he could adjust his position more precisely, with his knees spread, hips aligned. It was still a bit strange—such an odd feeling of their balls brushing against each other—but any strangeness was only overpowered by pleasure. Delightfully intense, flowing through him, Mo leant down and captured Kent’s lips in a kiss, swallowing down his moans.
But as thrilling as this was, he wanted more—he needed to be inside Kent. He needed the connection, the feeling of being one, together, with him.
He sat up so he could scooch back slightly, mourning the loss of contact, but more excited for what was to come. With his hand still slicked from the oil, he trailed his fingers down Kent’s prick, over his balls, and touched his entrance. Kent shifted his hips for better access, and Mo’s heart raced, rubbing gentle circles, prodding carefully around his hole. This was the same—Kent’s familiar warmth welcomed him all the same. Mo relished in the feeling, flutters increasing in his chest, as he slid a finger inside.
“Yes, Mo, ah…”
Kent reached for Mo, groping his chest. Mo smiled, sliding a second finger in. “Your voice is so beautiful, Kent. It’s as if you have your own siren’s song to lure me in.”
Kent let out a pleasing moan with his open-mouthed smile. “And with it, I caught the best fish in the whole sea, didn’t I?”
He let out a hearty chuckle, curling his fingers and enjoying the way Kent sang. “You reeled in the most loyal fish of all.”
After a third finger, Kent nodded, letting Mo know he was prepared enough. Mo then removed his fingers, reaching for the bottle again to slick himself a bit more. Even if he couldn’t produce oil like this with his own body anymore, he was glad that humans still had other ways to accommodate that worked just as well. His heart raced as he kept eye contact with Kent, gazing at his beautiful, wanton face as he lathered his cock. He couldn’t wait any longer.
“Please, Mo…” Kent panted.
“Kent…”
They’d never made love in this position before: Kent on his back with Mo on top of him. It wasn’t quite practical to do it as such back when he still had his tail, but now with legs , Mo had much easier mobility. He relished in the feeling of Kent underneath him, able to see his expression as he finally pressed inside him, a tantalizing gasp leaving Kent’s lips.
Damn, was this feeling ever so elating. Slowly, Mo pushed further, careful not to hurt his lover since he knew it’d been quite some time. But Kent clutched onto Mo’s shoulders and wrapped his legs around Mo’s lower back, showing him with his actions how eager he was. It excited Mo further, if that was even possible, and he thrust again until he was fully enveloped inside.
“Oh, oh…” Mo couldn’t help but moan, followed also by a fuck in mer-tongue.
“Say that again, Mo.” Kent groped at Mo’s arms, digging his nails into his skin slightly. “I love hearing you speak in your mother tongue.”
Mo smirked. “Of course, darling.” He rasped fuck again, and Kent howled , crossing his feet over Mo’s back and keeping him close. Even though he knew Kent wouldn’t understand him, it delighted him so, and he trilled something else in mer-tongue that he wanted to say anyway. Something profound and true, and would always be, forevermore.
Kent reached up to caress Mo’s cheek. “Your voice is phenomenal. What does it mean?”
“It means: ‘I love you’.”
Kent pulled Mo’s face closer so their lips met. The magic pulsed again, so great, so wonderful, Mo thrust his hips, chasing the astounding feeling.
“I love you too,” Kent said as their lips parted, followed by another sensual moan.
Mo picked up the pace, fucking Kent harder, heart pounding madly. It made Kent gasp, his lips forming a beautiful ‘O’. Mo was truly grateful that his new human body could please Kent just as well as his merman form could before. Pleasure was surging through his veins, in his lower abdomen, between his thighs.
“So wonderful, Mo…” Kent said between moans. “I can’t believe we’re really here, like this…”
Mo smiled, leaning down to peck Kent’s lips. “I’ll be here with you in your bed every night, if you’ll let me.”
“Yes, please. I demand it.”
The magic grew with each and every thrust. Pressure building, heat rising, oh , it was radiant. He never wanted to stop, wanted to stay inside Kent and connected to him just like this. More and more and more, he thrust his hips, Kent caressed his face, and Mo’s body surged with wonderful bolts of pleasure. How he loved Kent, how he loved this feeling, a feeling so sublime, as a human himself, experiencing the warmth inside his beloved. His heart raced, his skin hot, it just felt right ?—
“Mo—”
“Ah—Kent?—”
Mo growled fuck as he spent, spilling inside. The pleasure was overwhelming, the magic all-encompassing, filling his bones and shocking his body. Waves of pleasure crashed throughout him as he moaned, and Kent moaned as well; Mo’s smile widened, breath heavy as he panted against Kent’s lips. But he wasn’t done, oh no. His heart banged in his chest as he reached between them, taking hold of Kent’s cock.
“Spend for me, darling,” Mo rasped.
Kent writhed underneath him, clawing his nails into Mo’s shoulders as he pumped and pumped. It wasn’t long before Kent clenched his legs around Mo, already so far gone, biting back a shout and spilling his own release. It was breathtaking watching him, Mo still buried inside, magic flowing through both of them so forcefully that he spurted out a little bit more within him.
“Oh… oh, my God…” Kent breathed, lips still grazing against Mo’s own.
“Kent…”
“That… that was… oh, it was marvelous.”
“It was.” He leant down and ravished him with an open-mouthed kiss. Still struggling to come down from the incredible high, he rested atop Kent, not wanting to pull out of him just yet, and his hand still lingered between their bodies, covered in Kent’s spend.
“Mo,” said Kent when their lips finally parted, rubbing gentle circles onto Mo’s back. “Even if you are now a human… may I still call you my merman ?”
“Absolutely,” he said without a second thought. “Therefore, I can still call you my human .”
“Of course.” Kent’s smile was thrilling, so adorable, Mo couldn’t help but kiss him again.
Mo was a true fish out of water, in a world still completely new to him. But each day brought forth wonderful exciting things, and he was eager to experience it all. He could explore the land with his own two feet now, walking alongside Kent, his most dearly beloved.
How remarkable it was that he’d found someone to call his own, someone he belonged to, by hearing the most beautiful song on that lonesome shore all those moons ago.