Chapter 8 #2
It’s probably nothing. Fray will get rid of them as fast as he can. Stay where you are, Tobin instructed. I came down to shield you. Then Tobin thought about it... Though, Salem, you can blend in with the wall pretty damn well. And the shark was impressive. My hearts are still racing.
But Tobin positioned himself in front of them anyway and put his shield up as the boat pulled into the jetty.
It’s one of the trawlers from Strahan, Tobin said with relief. Should be a quick stop.
And if it’s not? Salem asked.
Then I’ll stay here until they leave. No big deal.
You would do this for us? Aurin asked.
Of course I would, Tobin replied. You have a lot of soon-to-be uncles up there very excited. And one aunt. Pania wanted to know what she could do to help. If you need anything.
They... they know? Aurin asked, his voice small.
Yep. Kellan and Ciaran held a meeting.
Of course they did, Salem mumbled.
They said we all need to do whatever you need, whatever you want. We’re on protection detail, basically. And food delivery.
Oh. Aurin sniffled. That’s so sweet...
You are very loved, my little one, Salem murmured.
Tobin could feel their emotions: Aurin’s trepidation, his vulnerability, and Salem’s outpouring of love for him.
It was so freaking beautiful.
But Salem was missing one important point.
And you, Salem, Tobin added. You’re as much a part of our consortium as any of us. I mean, I know Aurin is the star of the show right now, but don’t think you’re not included. We’re doing this for you too.
Aurin sniffled again, and Tobin could feel the love between them. Salem, on the other hand, felt... surprise and a rush of sentimentality, of gratitude.
You are loved too, Aurin murmured, and, wanting to give them this moment of privacy, Tobin pushed his shield outside of himself so it encased only them.
It wasn’t long before the boat engine sputtered again and headed out of Tenebrae. Humans never stayed any longer than was absolutely necessary.
Tobin let his shield snap back in and was hit by the wave of mental exertion in its wake.
They’re gone, Tobin said, though he was sure they’d heard. You two okay?
Salem answered. Yes, thank you.
Tobin smiled at him. He couldn’t see Aurin’s eyes, just an arm or two coiled around Salem’s arms. Salem had him all bundled up, safe and snug. It made Tobin’s hearts full. And it made him miss Fray. He was just about to say goodbye when he heard other voices.
Ah, you have more visitors incoming, Tobin said. Kellan and co. by the sounds of it. He waved an arm. Over here.
Kellan, Dylan, and Hendrix came over.
We thought we’d come and check up on you, Kellan said. Dylan’s been worried about you, Aurin.
Aurin peeked out from behind Salem with his big eyes, and Dylan shot past Tobin to give Aurin and Salem a hug. Hendrix laughed, and Kellan smiled as he watched them.
Dylan and Aurin had always been close, and they’d certainly been through a lot in the past few weeks. They all had. And now this....
Fray’s waiting for you, Hendrix said. Not very patiently, I might add.
He’s trying, Kellan added gently.
Hendrix snorted. Very fucking trying.
Hey, Hendrix, Tobin said, then held up eight middle fingers.
Hendrix laughed. Oh, your tattoos are glowing again. Must be the darker water now that Salem’s back.
Tobin held up the arm with the small blue heart. He hadn’t noticed the tattoo just now, but he had noticed the water. It was dark again, moving in ways it would seem water shouldn’t. It’s amazing, isn’t it?
Certainly keeps the humans away, Kellan said.
Ah yes, the boat that had come in, which Fray had tended to.
Fray....
I gotta go, Tobin said. But then he thought of something. Salem? Can I get you anything?
No, thank you.... Then Salem paused. Actually, Aurin hasn’t eaten. He might be able to stomach something now he’s in freeform. If I could trouble you to please arrange something for him, I would appreciate it greatly.
Tobin smiled at him. Sure thing.
And I do apologise again for almost biting you when you arrived, Salem said. I heard the boat and was concentrating on hiding Aurin....
Don’t mention it. And your camouflage was great, by the way.
There is nowhere to hide here, he said.
We’ll work on that, Tobin said, an idea already forming in the back of his mind. I’ll be back.
With a nod to Kellan, Tobin went to the surface and climbed out onto the pier.
Fray was waiting, of course, and looked as if he’d been pacing. “Oh, thank fuck,” he said, letting out a long breath. He began to dry Tobin off with a towel. “How are they?”
“They’re okay. We need to get Aurin something to eat. Let’s go see what Otis has in the kitchen.” Tobin pulled on some shorts. “Where is Otis, by the way? I have an idea, and I’m gonna need Otis’s help.”
Twenty minutes later, they had a selection of fish and clams and were back on the pier, taking their clothes off, when Otis came trudging down from behind the police station carrying a damn boulder. It was seriously half his size.
“Is this big enough?” he called out. Then Pania appeared, following him while also carrying a huge rock. Not as big as Otis’s but way larger than Tobin could have ever carried.
Tobin laughed. “Perfect. We’ll go tell them you’re coming.”
Tobin and Fray slipped into the water, carrying their little netting bag of goodies. Kellan, Hendrix and Dylan were still there, and it was no surprise to Tobin that Aurin was half hiding behind Salem.
He wasn’t timid or embarrassed—he was vulnerable. And he no doubt felt a burning desire to find a dark cave where he could hide...
We bring food, Fray said, offering the bag to Salem. Kinda like ordering pizza to be delivered, only better.
Salem took the bag and started pulling at the drawstring.
Tobin thought he better explain the odd selections. We weren’t sure what you wanted or what Aurin would feel like eating, so we grabbed a bit of everything.
Salem showed the offering to Aurin, letting him choose. He almost took a clam, his tentacle pausing for a moment, but then his eyes brightened as he spotted something else and he quickly snatched it up.
Oh, Tobin began. That’s frozen, but...
It was the worst thing in the whole bag. A frozen fish fillet that Otis kept for the random hungry human fisherman. Certainly not the fresh stuff they kept for themselves.
Aurin began to pick tiny morsels of flesh off the fillet and eating them, slowly at first, then faster. Mmm, this is good.
Everyone stared at him because what the hell?
“Good” wasn’t the word Tobin would have used. He wasn’t even sure why he threw it in the bag. He just wanted to grab a bit of everything, and he figured it would thaw out at some point.
Those frozen fish fillets were terrible.
But Aurin was making short work of it, and Salem was clearly happy to see Aurin eat anything at all. Kellan was, too, despite looking a touch horrified at the same time.
Salem ate the much more sensible option of a clam. Thank you.
Anytime. Oh, Tobin said. Otis is on his way down. I asked him to bring some rocks, and he chose big.
Then, with a loud splash at the surface, the boulder in question sank to the bottom like a... Well, like a huge freaking boulder. Pania’s smaller boulder followed, then Otis and Pania rocketed down after them.
They watched as Otis picked up the boulder and headed toward them. Where do you want them?
Over here, Tobin said. He noticed Kellan’s questioning eyes, so he explained. We’re gonna build a small cave for them to hide in. Aurin needs to feel safe, and Salem can’t relax either. At least with a little hidey hole, they can rest.
Oh, that’s..., Salem began, a little choked up. That’s incredibly thoughtful. Thank you.
You’re welcome, Tobin replied. Like I said before, we’ll all do whatever it takes.
Aurin didn’t seem to even notice. He was too busy devouring the frozen fish fillet.
It was really fucking gross, but Aurin was just so ridiculously cute, Tobin couldn’t help but laugh.
Aurin’s big eyes, happy little smile, and chubby cheeks as he shoved in tiny morsels with every spare tentacle.
People apparently ate all kinds of weird stuff during pregnancy, so this was no different, Tobin reasoned.
Then Aurin offered a torn chunk of frozen fish to Salem. Uh, no, thank you, Salem said, looking at the food as if it personally offended him...
Until Aurin’s little smile died and his eyes got all sad and he let out a tiny sad meep sound, and Salem panicked. Oh no, no, he said quickly, tentacles trying to sooth Aurin. Don’t cry. I only said no because I want you to eat it all. You need to eat, my love—
Aurin offered him another chunk, and Salem, like the good, brave soul he was, smiled as he took it.
Okay, so it was more of a grimace but Aurin didn’t seem to notice.
Salem put it in his mouth and chewed, only able to half mask the horror.
Mmm, he hummed, still trying to smile at Aurin.
It took him a few attempts at swallowing without gagging.
Aurin did a little happy wiggle as he went back to shoving more in his mouth, and Salem glared at Tobin, Hendrix, Dylan, and Kellan, who were all trying really hard not to laugh.
Fray, on the other hand, laughed without shame.
Okay, we’ll be back, Tobin said, taking Fray’s arm just as Pania dropped her rock next to Otis’s, and the four of them went up to the surface together.