The Little Merman

Chapter Twenty: "Progress"

Nate shook his head as he stared down at Sean. He wanted to be mad that he had missed his chance to kiss him, but he just couldn't. Sean's laughter was just too precious. Sean sat up slowly, leaning his arm on the side of the bed. Giving him a bright smile, Sean blushed out to him in a soft whisper. "I should go before they send the castle guards to find me." Nate's heart sank, but he nodded with understanding. Sean shifted up onto his knees though, bringing his face closer to Nate's. Nate stayed still, staring into Sean's beautiful blue eyes. Sean swallowed, nervously licking his lips with a strange look on his face. Nate lowered his hand that was propping up his head. Taking a deep breath, Sean leaned in closer and whispered to him. "I don't really know how to feel about this... but I do owe you a kiss." Sean leaned closer inch by inch like he was afraid that Nate would stop him. Staying in place, Nate tilted his head for him and waited. Sean's lips drew close enough that he could feel his warm breath. The room fell into silence and Nate's heart leapt as their lips touched.

The kiss was light and brief at the start. Barely lasting more than a second or two. As Sean started to lean back, Nate leaned in for more. The kiss had been too brief. He couldn't let that be the end to it. Their lips met again, and this time Sean moaned ever so lightly into it. Their lips brushed over each other timidly, before Sean leaned in more to really taste his lips. Sean's hands reached up to cup his face and Nate's hand reached out to stroke Sean's exposed chest. Their moans filled the kiss, until Sean pulled away from him. Covering his lips, Sean told him a little embarrassed. "Don't take this the wrong way... but I feel like I've kissed you before. But that's not possible... is it?" Nate stroked Sean's chest with his fingertips, trying to draw his attention back to him. He wanted to tell him that they had kissed before. That it was him that saved him that night on the beach. Sean's fingertips slid over his lips, still not looking at him as he distantly mumbled out to himself. "I guess a hallucination doesn't count... So... That makes you my first kiss."

Nate bit his lip at his words. The was something so pure about being someone's first kiss. Lifting his hand from Sean's chest, he lifted his chin and tried to tell him that it was him. He just didn't know where to begin or even how to begin trying to sign it to him. Upon taking too long, Sean got to his feet, mumbling out to him shyly. "I have to go now." Nate tried to stop him, but Sean moved too quickly. At the door, Sean stopped and told him over his shoulder with a smile. "Thank you, Nathan. See you in the morning." Sean slipped out, leaving Nate to wave weakly as the door closed. Nate wanted to be happy but he wasn't. He just couldn't seem to tell him what he wanted him to know. Lowering his hand to his bandaged legs, he touched them and sighed. He didn't feel any different. Was the spell permanent now? How was he supposed to tell? Sliding out of the bed, he moved back to the window and opened the curtains. He was only a little surprised to see Mark still there. Turning off the light in his room, he discreetly opened the window and slipped out.

Crossing the grassy courtyard, he took the stone steps down to the beach. Mark straightened up more as he sat on the shore, asking him aloud with worry. "What happened? Are you ok?" Nate signed that he was, then dropped down to sit in the sand. Mark tilted his head, reaching out to touch his bare foot as he said softly. "Nathan? Why so gloomy? Did something happen?" Nate sniffled, then began to sign in a rushed mess as he explained that they kissed but nothing happened. Mark chuckled to him lightly, receiving a glare from Nate in response. Gesturing with his hands for him to calm down, Mark openly told him. "It's only been one day, Nathan. You think true love happens overnight? You are making good progress. Give it time. You kissed him and he didn't reject you. That is a win. Take it." Nate signed out that his time was running out, but Mark waved a dismissive hand to stop him and cut in. "Nathan. Stop. We've still got time. Now run me through what happened, and I'll give you some advice for what to do tomorrow."