The tale of two scales

Dark waters

The darkness enveloped them, drowning them in a sea of black, inky waves. Pulling them under. The water quickly soothed Toni's skin as it splashed and bubbled around the two, erupting in an explosion of violet scales. Her arms still firmly wrapped around aspens small frame. She felt them both start to sink and swam to the surface, it's not like them sinking would affect them at all, but she couldn't help but be anxious. Her mind was so clouded that she didn't notice the change in aspen. She didn't notice his rapid breathing as they immerged to the surface, she was too caught up in her own mind to feel the familiar scales underneath her fins. She did notice however when a long tail hit her legs. Toni opened her eyes to see the most beautiful face, scrunched up tight in fear, and covered in sparkling lapis blue scales.

"Aspen?" The breathing halted for a few seconds, like the humid weather right before a storm.

"I'm sorry! I know I'm a...a freak!" His eyes stayed closed to nervous to even open, too scared. Toni stared, floating in the water. The sea was warm but cooler than the air, it felt refreshing to be floating in it, relaxing. The stars above reflected on the ocean head, creating an infinite line of galaxy's. Toni looked back towards the small boy in front of her, shaking, his eyes sore from the tears. At that moment, Toni knew that she'd fallen, and she'd fallen hard. Toni knew that she would do anything for this small being.

She lifted up her hand, violet shaded a darker tone under the moonlight, and lifted it towards the smaller boy. Her hand cupped the side of his face, hoping for aspen to open his eyes, hoping to catch a glimpse of his pupils.

"Aspen?" A sob escaped his lips "Aspen please, look at me" He breathed in, it was sharp and hurt. And soon enough his eyelids began to flutter, opening the slightest bit to reveal a galaxy of stars underneath.
His pupils were black, shifting from slits to circles rapidly, they seemed to envelop every light like they were being sucked into a black hole.

Toni would give anything to be completely and utterly lost in those eyes, but now wasn't the time to fall. Aspen was slowly backing away as confusion washed over his features.
He shook his head, "no. No no no this can't be real, I'll wake up in my bed and everything will be back to normal"
He closed his eyes shut, very obviously picturing waking up in his bed, the sun shining through the curtains and hugging the room in warmth.
Tears rolled down his scales as he crumpled in on himself, trying to make himself as small as possible.
Toni reached out a hand and gently touched his shoulder.
He flinched away from her touch.
Toni's heart broke for the boy, he had been through so much already, he didn't deserve any of this. It was then and there that Toni decided that she was going to help aspen, she was going to be there for him no matter what his feelings were towards him. Whether after tonight he liked her or not, hated or...or loved her. She was always going to be here for him. And that started tonight.

"Hey, hey why are you crying?" She reached out hoping aspen would shy away and grappled his hands.

"Because you don't like me"
Toni's heart cracked for the third time that night. It was painful to see someone she loved so dearly, so broken.

"If I don't like you then how much would I like myself? I'm completely purple here, I look like a giant bruise" that made him laugh, even if for a little bit, it was worth it.

"You don't, you look beautiful" Toni was thankful for the scales covering her cheeks so aspen wouldn't see how red she was, 'did, did he just compliment me?'
Toni quickly recovered from her shock and began the almighty tease of the day.

"Did you just compliment me?" She said, speaking her thoughts, slowly leaning closer to the smaller boy.
Aspen was so close to her that she could feel his breath, his eyes looked like inky pools of galaxy, as though he had stolen parts of the stars and made them into contacts. Toni was sure that if he didn't have his scales protecting him, he would be the shade of a tomato.
They continued to stare at each other for a while, eventually they both forgot what the previous conversation was about, the only thing that mattered was each other.
They both hoped the other couldn't hear their racing hearts.

"Maybe?"

Toni laughed, it sounded more like a question than an answer. Aspen bathed in the laughter, it was loud and carefree, the feeling slowly bubbled up inside of him like a soda waiting to explode.
And it did.
The two sea monsters laughed till they were practically gasping for air, floating in a pool full of stars.
When they finally calmed down they continued to stare, daring one another to break the peaceful silence. Aspen felt his body begin to shake once again, curse him and his stupid anxiety.

"So-"
Toni stared, it was rude but she couldn't help it, he was just so perfect.
"Now you know t-the real me I-I guess" he chuckled slightly, shrinking in the water. Toni decided that she would lighten the mood, put her personality into work.

"yeah so do you! Do you like my flamboyant-Ness" she twirled in the water, creating ripples in the tide.
And suddenly aspen realised, he didn't need to be scared anymore, he didn't need to be in fear of being judged, because Toni will always be there for him, no matter what.
Aspen felt his stomach twist, but not in a bad way, no, this was because of the major crush that he had developed. It was deepening.

But for now. Aspen took a deep breath, for now he's going to enjoy the time that he has together with his newfound sea friend. And he's not going to let anyone get in his way!

Authors noootteeeeeee:

Hiya guys!! How are my favourite readers?? Hope you are doing well!! Remember to drink some water and get yourself a good snack. Food is yummy xx take care of yourselves kiddo's!!!

I'm out 🏳️‍🌈