Chapter 2

Taking Risks

Written by SmilingDolphins

Delphin watched as Pulchra unblocked the door to the large 2-story house and stepped inside. It was night now, and he quickly followed her inside before shutting the door behind him.

"Dad! We're back!" Pulchra yelled. Oscissor rounded the corner and broke into a grin when he saw Delphin.

"Deli! Good to see you!" The old orca boomed, grabbing the dolphin in a hug.

"It's good to see you too Mr. Duken," Delphin said. The orca released him and suddenly gave him the stink eye.

"So, what you two been doin'? Nothing to...romantic?"

"Dad!" Pulchra cried. "We just ate dinner then went for a late afternoon drive!"

In all their years of dating, he and Pulchra had never actually done it yet. He was sure that if he did so without them being legally married even worse things would happen to the both of them. And Pulchra respected that wish, though that didn't stop her from getting very close a few times over the years. The restraint he had shown at times always amazed her. When Pulchra had first started dating him, her father had pulled him aside, sat him down, and gave him a talk. Not the talk, but a talk nonetheless. Delphin thought back to that conversation.

"Now Delphin, I know Pulchra loves you and you love her. And I have no problem with you dating her. But, you two are both almost adults, and you might start...trying things, and I am well aware of that. I want you to know that, as long as you keep it...private...and she is consenting...I don't care what you do with her, okay?"

Delphin had just stared at him in shock. He never really believed the old orca, either. He had a feeling if he did anything with Pulchra, Oscissor would hunt him down. He knew that was just his paranoia, but he still wasn't willing to take the chance.

"SO! What's the sleeping arrangements gonna be?" Oscissor asked, bringing him back to the present.

Delphin involuntarily let out a few clicks and whistles in a dolphin yelp.

"Uh, well I can sleep on the couch if that would make you more comfortable, Mr. Duken."

"Now what would you do that fer? Y'all can sleep in the same bed!"

Delphin blushed and looked extremely uncomfortable.

"No, really it's fi-"

"Delphin, just sleep with me," Pulchra said, rolling her eyes. Delphin yelped again and blushed even deeper. Pulchra realized the wording of her sentence and blushed as well. "That is NOT what I meant! I mean, I wouldn't mind it…"

Oscissor burst into laughter at the two of them. Delphin was blushing so hard, he looked like some sort of rare red dolphin.

"Uh, I'm going to, uh, go upstairs and, uh, get ready for...bed," Pulchra said. She looked at Delphin, giving him some silent encouragement, and flicking her eyes to her father(who was still chuckling), before heading upstairs. Delphin followed Oscissor into the kitchen where the orca began to tidy up. Delphin sat down at the island in the middle of the room and twiddled his thumbs.

"Mr. Duken?" He began.

"Hmm?" The orca said, not looking up as he wiped down the countertops.

"What do you think of me? In the terms of dating your daughter and the fact that I'm a dolphin and she's an orca?"

Oscissor continued to clean. Delphin counted to 5 before he was answered.

"Delphin, I have to admit...if it was anyone but you, no, I wouldn't have allowed a dolphin to date my daughter. As much as I hate to say this, I would have been repulsed by it. But you are by far the best boyfriend my daughter's ever had. I've never met a more chivalrous bull in my life, except perhaps your father. That's where you got it from after all."

Delphin nodded.

"Mr. Duken?"

"Yes?"

"I love your daughter. And...and I want to spend the rest of my life with her. I want her to be my wife. So, I would like to formally ask you for your daughter's hand in marriage. This is at her request, as she has demanded I marry her."

Oscissor stared at him. Delphin was afraid he would say no, and Pulchra's relationship with her father would be ruined.

"Will you take care of her?"

"To the best of my abilities."

"Will you be faithful to her?"

"I only have eyes for her."

"Will you support her?"

"In everything she does."

"Will you care for your children?"

"If we have them, if we can have them, I will love them with my heart, mind, and soul."

"Will you love her?"

Delphin's mind drifted to what his father used to say to his mother.

"I will love her always and forever, to the moon and back, from the land to the sea, and from heaven to earth."

Oscissor's eyes analyzed him.

"I have one more thing to ask."

"Anything!" Delphin said.

"Other ocean mammals will not like this. There is no law against interspecies relationships. It's not because it is allowed, or overlooked. It is because it is believed to be an unspoken rule, set in stone for millennia. How will you overcome the challenge? You and Pulchra could be killed right now, and few mammals would protest. It's likely no one would even be punished. So how do you plan to protect my daughter? I lost my wife. I won't lose her. You're like a son to me, and I won't lose you like I lost your parents either."

Delphin took a deep breath and explained his plan to become Director of the M.O.I.A like his father. He already was allowed to skip 4 levels of the agency because of his legendary background. The only thing that stood in his way was the current director. But elections were held every 4 years, and the next one was in a year. By that time, he could be Agent 1, or even assistant director. Oscissor nodded.

"I'm proud of you Delphin. I believe you'll treat my girl right. So I give you my blessing. You may marry her. Just make me a grandpa, ya hear?"

Delphin blushed and nodded.

"Good. Now head on up. Your fiance is waiting."

"Thank you, Mr. Duken."

"Call me dad."

"Thanks...dad. For everything." Delphin said. Oscissor nodded again. The dolphin stood up and headed up the stairs.

When Delphin reached the top of the stairs, he saw the light on in the bathroom and heard the shower running, along with singing. He quietly opened the door and stepped inside. He stripped down and pulled the shower curtain away just enough to squeeze into the large shower. Pulchra was still singing and didn't hear him. He crept up behind her. The song she was singing was an old favorite of his. He had sung it to her multiple times before. He waited for the right moment.

"It's got your name on it!" They both sang at the same time. Pulchra gasped and whirled around, causing her to slip on the wet shower floor. Delphin's arm shot out and caught her, keeping her upright.

"Delphin! Don't scare me like that!" Pulchra cried. Her eyes widened. "Wait, what are you doing in here?! How did you even get here without me hearing you?!"

Delphin silenced her with a kiss. When he pulled away, he grinned at her confused expression.

"Just wanted to say hi to my future wife. I have been blessed after all. Is that okay?"

"He said yes?!"

Delphin nodded. Pulchra grinned and grabbed his face, pulling it down to meet hers.

"Pulchra Ballena Mare. I quite like that." She said when they separated. Suddenly, her eyes widened again. She looked down and released that they were, in fact, both naked.

"In case you're wondering, I'm still waiting until we're married," Delphin said. He leaned in close and whispered in her ear. "But that doesn't mean we can't enjoy the views."

A shiver ran down Pulchra's back. She looked into Delphin's eyes, which had returned to their deep, sad, look. Delphin's emotions were very obvious. He's never really in the middle with how he feels. But if you took away everything except his eyes, he would be impossible to read. Those warm hazel brown eyes just seemed to hold so many secrets. Sadness, anger, amusement, love. All at the same time. But there was more sadness, maybe even grief, than anything else.

So much sadness.

The two of them finished their shower and dried off. Neither of them put clothes back on. Delphin picked Pulchra up and wrapped her legs around him, before taking her into her room and laying her down on the bed. They both got under the covers and Pulchra pressed her back in Delphin's stomach, humming contentedly. Delphin kissed the top of her head and draped his arm around her, holding her close.

"Goodnight, my Lady Orca." He whispered in her ear before reaching over and turning off the bedside lamp.

"Goodnight my Dumb Dolphin," Pulchra replied in the darkness. Within minutes, both of them were asleep, Pulchra feeling safe and comfortable in her dolphin's arms, and Delphin dreaming of wedding bells and a future with the mammal he loved.

For the first time, likely ever, an orca and a dolphin slept as lovers.

Hey guys! Hope you enjoyed it! Leave your thoughts and comments, they are the lifeblood of any author. Point out any typos you notice, and feel free to make suggestions. The next chapter will be a big 1 month time jump, with Delphin going on his first mission. See you next time!

I love y'all! Stay safe! :Dolphins out!