Triton's Destiny

Part Twenty-One

Something caught Tristan's eye as he put out the sign on the lighthouse door and locked it. Turning to look down the beach, he grinned, seeing a familiar form walking toward him. He grabbed his satchel full of messages, quickly slung it over his shoulder, and jogged down to the path to meet the intriguing man he hadn't been able to stop thinking about since they last parted.

"Maki!" Tristan brushed his fingers over the back of Maki's hand. "Are you all right? How are you feeling?"

"I'm fine, Tristan." Maki captured Tristan's fingers and gave them a squeeze.

"Is your headache gone? It looked painful. I was worried about you."

Smiling, with fond affection in his beautiful eyes, Maki lifted his hand and brushed his fingers over Tristan's cheek. "You're so sweet." His head dropped and his hat covered his eyes, though Tristan could still see Maki's smile. "I'm fine now. I promise."

"Good," Tristan said with a sigh of relief. He hated to think of Maki being in any kind of pain. His relief was short-lived, however, when he remembered that he couldn't stay and spend another several hours just talking to Maki. "I'm really sorry, but I have to go deliver messages right now." Thinking over the options, he pointed over his shoulder to the lighthouse. "I could let you in so you can wait, if you want." But the sad longing he saw flicker across Maki's eyes made his heart lurch with guilty agony. "Or..." He took Maki's hand. "Come with me?"

Every trace of sadness fled from Maki's gaze and he beamed a smile radiant enough to rival the sun. He twined his fingers tightly with Tristan's. "I'd love to."

Lifting Maki's hand to his mouth, Tristan brushed his lips across his knuckles, delighting in the flush of color it brought to Maki's cheeks. Maki was so handsome and seeing the evidence of how happy he was to spend time with Tristan made his heart soar. Still, he felt the need to temper the triton's expectations, lest he get too excited. "It's not the most interesting thing in the world, but you'll get to see a lot of the town and meet some people."

"Sounds great," Maki said. His eyes sparkled with excitement. "Just do what you usually do, Tristan. I'm happy to just come along."

Tristan nodded and started up the path, still holding Maki's hand. He didn't let it go until they got to the dockside boardwalk, where he reluctantly imposed a little space between them. He didn't particularly want to answer invasive questions about his association with Maki and certainly didn't want anyone making Maki uncomfortable, so it was best if they didn't advertise how they felt about each other. It felt wrong to minimize it like that, but Tristan's relationship with Maki was nobody else's business. Let people find someone else to gossip about.

Maki was perceptive enough, though, to notice the lack of closeness. He tilted his head as he looked at Tristan with concern. "Is everything all right?"

Tristan bobbed his head. "I don't want to make you uncomfortable. If people see us holding hands..." His cheeks warmed in a blush. "They'll ask dumb questions I don't want to subject you to."

"You don't want them to know?"

With a sigh, Tristan picked up Maki's hand once more and kissed the back of it. "I want the entire world to know. But I don't want them to be nosy."

"You don't have to say anything, Tristan. But I understand your concern. We can pretend to be friends if you want." Maki gave him an encouraging smile.

But I don't want that! Tristan looked from Maki to the town and back again. Then he reached for Maki's hand and clasped it tightly. "You know what? People can go to hell. You're right. I don't have to tell them anything. Let them think whatever they want." Keeping Maki's hand firmly in his grasp, he led the way to the town center, headed for the bakery.