Kawaii-Cherri: The spice turned out to be more vanilla. Seeing as it was the kiss they shared, lol. There's nothing heavier on the horizon, I'm afraid. Though, I'm hoping you enjoy the next few chapters that are coming up.

Chapter Twenty: In your arms

Shedding his tail was easy, it would dissolve within moments and then simply be swept away in the surf. Returning to his human form took about a minute but he clambered out the froth and onto the sand looking completely normal, except from the massive gashes that were down his calf and arm. His body shook and he stumbled onto the beach, panting. Looking around, he spotted the hoodie that Elspeth had discarded, that meant that she had made it to shore at least. He exhaled heavily in relief and crawled over to the wet material, dragging it over himself to cover his sudden nakedness. There was a large boulder nearby that he leaned against, grateful for the support. The cold was uncomfortable but it wouldn't kill him, so he could take a moment to rest. Sebastian looked at his arm and leg, his shift in form had stopped the bleeding but he didn't have the energy to completely heal. He tilted his head back and sighed, 'fuck, I need a cigarette,' he moaned, reaching up with his good arm to rub his eyes with his fingers. His jaw had begun to return to normal and he spat out some shark teeth that occupied his other form, normally they would just dissipate but sometimes he had to manually remove them.

All he could hear was the sound of the waves against the sand, it was soothing. The fish had taken a while to get rid of and he had managed to lose it in a nearby shipwreck. It had managed to catch him a couple of times, which is how he had become hurt and when he knew that his time was up. He just had to hope he had distracted it long enough. Turns out, he had. Sebastian chuckled to himself and closed his eyes, letting his arm rest at his side. So, for the first time hanging out with Elsie? Not bad, he thought in bitterness.

Suddenly he heard someone running; fast but clearly stumbling. He lifted his head just in time to see Elspeth pelt towards the shore. She had a bag over her shoulder and had pulled on Sebastian's leather jacket, zipped completely up. It was clear that she hadn't spotted Sebastian with the way that she ran to the water, almost up to her knees. 'O-Okay, pretty sure I came o-out here,' she said as she threw the bag back onto the sand.

Sebastian wondered what she was doing, but then realised she was moments away from leaping back into the waves. 'Elsie!' He called, causing her to jump and spot him.

'Bazzie!' She exclaimed, almost jumping through the sea as she ran towards him. She skidded onto the sand, kicking up a slight spray when she was near him. A switchblade fell from her hand where she dropped it and he raised a brow while looking at her. 'Are you okay? Ooooh! T-That's not good! That's quite a n-nasty c-cut,' she stuttered, her body temperature still incredibly low. 'Oh… shit, y-you have one on y-your leg t-too. I-It's okay, I-I got a heater at the t-tent and-and, I can s-sew you up.'

'Elsie,' he said he reached up and gently grabbed her wrist from where she was trying to fuss around him. 'I'm so glad you're safe,' he said, honestly, not caring about anything else. 'I'm fine,' he assured, apart from feeling like he had been used as a pinball.

She looked over him and picked up one of his fallen teeth, 'y-you're not all, merman anymore,' she said, she was almost violently shivering and he grew concerned.

'We need to get you to warmth,' he said as he tried to move and then realised his predicament. 'I'm going to need… something, I, uh, don't come back with clothing,' he said motioning to the wet hoodie on his lap.

Elspeth looked down and a blush hit her cheeks, she gave him a cheeky grin and he couldn't help but roll his eyes in reply. 'O-Oh really?' She stuttered, going to playfully lift her hoodie up. Sebastian didn't try to stop her and called her bluff. Her face went bright red and she shakily got up. 'I ha-have towels in the b-bag,' she said as she ran to where she threw it and came back, passing him a large beach towel and turning her head so that he could cover himself.

Unsteadily, he got to his feet with the towel tied around his waist, tightly. 'Why did you bring a switchblade?' He asked as Elspeth stood up as well and began to gather the things she dropped.

'Well, I-I wasn't sure t-that you were going to be okay, s-so, I was gonna c-come get y-you,' she said, swinging the bag onto her shoulder and pocketing the knife.

He didn't have time to think about his nakedness or the fact that Elsie was so close. Sebastian reached out and gently took her by the top of her arm, 'tell me you're not hurt?' She was going to come back for me? Against that monster? With just a switchblade? He thought, seeing her in a new light, which he didn't think was possible. She's… insane, he chuckled in his mind.

She gave him an amused look and smiled, 'I-I'm fine, just cold,' she assured. 'Come on, let's g-get back to the t-tent.'

-x-

They had gotten back to the camp without issue, the ground around the site was pretty damp but the trees had stopped the storm from carrying the tent away. The heater was doing a phenomenal job, it was an internally powered one that Elspeth had brought from the farm. They hadn't spoken a lot and soundlessly gotten changed into clean, dry clothing. Sebastian sat awkwardly on the blow-up bed, his arm and leg causing him some issue when it came to moving. Elspeth had taken her wet clothing and shoved it into a spare bag, 'I've hung up your jacket,' she said as she sat next to him and pulled on some socks.

'Why were you wearing it? Not that I mind?' He asked. His body language was tense and he felt uncomfortable; he hadn't managed to get a top on because of his injury and while he was perfectly warm, a lot of his skin was bare and it felt unreal that he couldn't hurt her because of it. The storm hadn't ceased and buffeted the tent a little,

'Honestly? I ran here, stripped down to just my jeans, threw my top and bra to the side and pulled on the thickest thing I could find, plus it was waterproof,' she said, simply. She had changed into her pyjamas, which was unfortunately a strappy top; seeing as it was for the summer. Elspeth looked over at him, 'you, okay?' She asked as she reached out to touch him.

Sebastian flinched and shifted noticeably before relaxing, 'sorry. I'm not… used to this… the whole idea feels weird,' he admitted.

Elspeth shivered but smiled at him, 'hey. Bazz,' she said simply, gaining his attention properly. 'Look, a lot has happened today. Far more than what I expected,' she mused as her sight drifted away from his face. She shook some sense into herself and grinned at him, flicking her damp hair over her shoulder. The kiss appeared in the forefront of her mind but she shoved it to the side. Although they had been teasing one another for months, this was a new boundary for both. She slowly lifted her hand and offered it to him, 'it's just us,' she assured.

He looked at her palm and gently slid his hand into hers. Sebastian smiled weakly at her and brushed her hair away from her face, noting the cut on her forehead, it wasn't deep and hopefully wouldn't scar. 'It's hard to break habits that I've had for the last one and a half decades,' he mumbled. 'And you don't feel anything at all?' He inquired.

'Nothing,' Elspeth said as she squeezed his fingers. 'I just feel your skin, that's all. Or well, your scales, when you had them,' she added making him smile weakly.

Silence descended for a moment before he spoke. 'E-Elsie…,' he stuttered, a thought occurring to him. 'A-Are… are we still dating?'

She tilted her head, 'why is that even in question?' Elspeth asked softly. 'Of course we are, if that's something you want. I want to be your girlfriend. Do you want to be my boyfriend?'

Sebastian couldn't bring himself to speak and simply nodded, holding her hand tightly. Elspeth shifted back onto the bed and pulled at his fingers, encouraging him to join her. Their sleeping bags were on the bed, open. Sebastian moved a little awkwardly onto the blow-up bed and wondered what she was doing. Elspeth laid down and held open her arms, 'come,' she said softly.

He froze, 'prolonged exposure-'

'Means nothing to me, Bazz,' she cut in, looking at him with confidence. 'Didn't you say it was stronger in your other form? Plus, Demetrius had my blood testing for like, over twelve hours. You literally cannot hurt me and, I am freezing. I can barely feel my toes and I feel that my bones are surrounded by ice. I hurt all over and I just want to sleep,' she said as she sat up and took his hand again. 'Trust me.'

Slowly, he moved so that he was lying next to her. Elspeth rolled her eyes playfully and pulled him into her chest, wrapping her arms around him. He was somehow warmer than she was and it was like holding a hot water bottle. Elspeth pulled over one of the sleeping bags across their waists. Sebastian was a little awkward and stiff but it only took a moment before he pulled her closer, resting his head on her chest and wrapping his arm around her. She began to hum and gently stroked his hair, rhythmically. 'Are your animals safe?' He asked, sleepily.

'Marnie would have taken care of them as soon as the storm kicked in,' she assured. Her body was warming up, though she knew that she was going to have to get checked by Dr. Harvey in the next couple of days. She continued to stroke his hair and after about ten minutes, she felt tears drop onto her chest. Sebastian was shaking. Her heart panged in pain and she tightened her grip around him, feeling the residue on his skin; the slight tingling where it touched her. Elspeth rested her head against the top of his and continued to sing, "Hallelujah," the slow, soft tune which somehow brought comfort. She let Sebastian cry and hold her a little too tightly, his cheek pressed against her bare collarbone, knowing that they both need it. She had no idea what time it was as both of their phones were completely buggered, Sebastian's was at the bottom of the sea somewhere; his clothing and things had been destroyed when he jumped off the cliff and initiated his shift. The sun had been up when they returned to the tent, although the weather had hidden it but she knew it was before eight. Even though they had been through the wringer, and she should have been starving, sleep called her more than anything.

After a few hours they both woke up, not having moved from their original positions. Sebastian jolted awake first, his heart was racing in panic when he felt Elspeth's arms around him. He almost shoved her away in alarm but Elspeth moaned a little and tightened her grip around him, nuzzling his head. Inhaling deeply, he forced himself to relax, he wasn't going to hurt her. 'What's… matter?' She mumbled, sleepily.

'Sorry,' he whispered quietly. It was dark outside and there was a slight tapping on the tent from a spattering of rain. The only light in the tent was from the little heater that was providing a valiant effort.

'Too hot?' Elspeth asked as she released him from the tight embrace she had wound around him. 'Too much contact?' She added as the realisation hit her that it might be a little overwhelming. Elspeth went to sit up but Sebastian wouldn't let her, it was his turn to hold on.

'No… don't,' he mumbled. 'I just panicked, that's all,' he admitted. 'Please, stay.'

Elspeth sank back into his arms and this time; she rested her head on his chest. They were quiet for a few minutes, until Elspeth couldn't hold in her curiosity anymore. 'Do… you have two heartbeats?' She asked, pressing her ear against his chest. 'It's like there's an echo in there,' she pointed out.

Sebastian chuckled and it vibrated through his chest, pleasantly. 'Ah… yeah,' he said awkwardly. 'Uh, it's sort of… complicated.'

'Uncomplicate it,' she replied.

'So… I was born this way. The whole, merman thing,' he began to explain on how he came to be and the connection to the mermaid necklaces; their relevance and effect to the town. 'My mother and father were so in love that it… activated some sort of dormant magics and when I was born. I was… blessed. So, they say. When you put on a mermaid necklace, it awakens a secondary heart. Everyone has one. Calypso calls it a "spirit heart", it's where magic resides.'

'Who is Calypso? Oh, Yoba… is this another woman I have to worry about?' Elspeth teased but a little serious. Sebastian inhaled deeply, smelling the scent of saltwater and her citrus oil that she wore in her hair for her curls. They hadn't had time to wash after their near-death experience but also, neither of them really cared. He was worried that she hadn't eaten in a very long time and he was going to correct that soon but they could enjoy the moment and talk for a while. It was oddly liberating being honest with her about these things and her curiosity was endearing.

He gives her a look, 'what do you mean? Another woman? You're literally the only woman in my life, in that way,' Sebastian points out.

'Abigail,' Elspeth said, bluntly.

With a wince, he shakes his head. 'Yeah… no. She happens to be a woman and I know her, but it doesn't mean that I care for her in any way. Other than a friend, obviously,' Sebastian said feeling like he was digging a hole. 'I mean, I know she's been acting weird lately and it's a whole thing and I don't actually know what to do about that-'

'Bazz?' Elspeth interrupted.

'Yeah?'

'Calypso?'

'Oh… yeah, sorry.' He cleared his throat as he felt Elspeth smile against his bare chest, 'Calypso is… more like an aunt. Or a kooky nan,' he said, thinking about the mermaid. 'She's my link to the merpeople. There's a lot she's taught me, practically saved my life when I was a teenager.'

Elspeth mentally sighed in relief, thank fuck for that. Worrying about Abigail is annoying enough, even though I know that she's not really any threat. I didn't want to have to be worrying about some beautiful mermaid as well, I can't compete with the whole, effortlessly ethereal, she thought. 'I'm definitely going to have to hear more about her, she sounds fascinating but we're getting off track. Again. Two hearts. Go,' Elspeth said with a small poke.

'Well, um, as I was born like this, when I hit puberty, I went through some whole metamorphosis thing,' he said wanting to glaze over that particular time of his life. 'Ever since then, two heartbeats. One goes slower and into a more… stasis like state depending what form I'm in. So, for every three beats the other beats one and vice versa,' he said. 'It's not completely scientific but that's the gist of it.'

'It sounds like your hearts are beating incredibly fast, right now,' Elspeth said as she lazily traced a circle on his collarbone with her nail, lightly. The fact that she was in his embrace; their skin touching, keeping one another warm, was more like a dream than reality. Elspeth giggled, strange that it's now the little things that feel most important, she thought, smiling to herself.

Sebastian chuckles and almost wiggles at her touch, 'turns out I'm ticklish,' he mused, making her laugh and poke him. 'Also… the reason my heart-'

'Hearts,' Elspeth interrupted, making him roll his eyes.

'Hearts,' he corrected himself, 'the reason my hearts are beating so fast is because perhaps… you're in my arms,' Sebastian mumbled, feeling his blush hit hard. 'Something that I thought impossible… is now suddenly very real.'

'Bazz,' Elspeth said softly, as she looked up at him, feeling like she was going to melt at his words. He bit his lip as he caught her gaze and they both went pink, Sebastian a deeper shade than before. It turned out that they could both talk a good game about physical intimacy but when caught in the moment, they both froze. Elspeth knew that it was probably going to be a while before Sebastian was comfortable with the reality of being able to touch her. It didn't matter, there was no rush for anything.

He cleared his throat once again, 'you need to eat and we need to check on that cut on your head,' he mumbled, knowing that he was putting his foot in the atmosphere.

She took it well and grinned at him, 'we have to check your injuries too,' she said, trying to remember where they put the torch. 'They look harsh,' she said conversationally, 'they might scar.'

Sebastian shrugged, 'worth it for this moment. I wouldn't change anything.'

Be well, stay safe.