Seas of Magma

Shared Passions

After having a bite to eat, Archie had relaxed in the shallow end of the pool while Maxie had been swimming around, getting used to his new abilities. The merman seemed to be learning quickly and it did bring a smile to Archie's face. After a while Maxie swam over and nestled next to the sailor, sighing softly. He smirked lightly.

"Is this... well, troublesome for you?" Maxie looked up, his maroon eyes shining lightly.

Archie had to think briefly. "Nah, it ain't. Not too much anyways. At least here, we can be close. I just dread that time when it's time to take ya to the sea..." Why did this happen to you and not me? "Because, fer a fact, Max... ya can't stay cooped up in my pool. Ya gotta be where the mermen are s'posed ta be, in the sea."

Karma bit me in the ass after we put our differences aside. "The sea is a vast place. How will I know I can see you again?" The thought of being separated from his lover... it scared Maxie more than he liked to believe was possible. It was, for just the most fleeting of moments, that the Magma Leader was reminded of why he did not want to fall in love. But that elation that he'd felt when Archie had confessed his love was more than anything he could have predicted. That was the reason he was glad he had opened his heart in the end.

It was as if the sailor had picked up on his fears. "Max. Listen. Ya know ya can always come ta see me no matter what. Hell, I'd just watch the shore ta keep an eye out." He pulled Maxie close to him and stroked his hair lightly. "I'd wait fer ya."

The Magma Leader felt touched by those words. He didn't give a verbal response, instead he moved up and crushed his lips against Archie's, tongue exploring the warm cavern of his mouth. The sailor held him close, fingers digging into the join where human torso met fishlike tail. They shared that kiss for a few moments just as Maxie reached down to grasp Archie's firm rear. The sailor let out a quiet moan and grunted lightly as Maxie's hands roamed, feeling that he was tugging down the zipper of the wetsuit.

"You have no idea how much I desire you..." The merman's hands slipped under the flexible neoprene, fingers caressing over sculpted pectorals before sliding lower, tracing over those hard abdominal muscles. Before he could go much further, Archie grasped his wrists gently.

"I know what yer thinkin', Max. And right now ain't a good time fer that. What we gotta focus on is tryin' ta find a way ta either help ya get used ta this or find a way ta change ya back." Reluctantly Maxie nodded, moving so he could rest against Archie's chest instead, his fingers once again tracing the sailor's pectorals.

"Well, I suppose seeing what I can do in this form would be good. After all, a man of science has to do his experiments, right?" Maxie flashed him a smile. Archie gave a nod and relaxed as the merman kissed over his chest, humming a song to himself. "Although I'm still nervous about the sea... about not being able to find you again."

"Hey. Let's not think about that. Instead, right now, since it's gettin' late, maybe ya should get some sleep and then I'll try and find ya somewhere where ya can get a taste a' the sea without bein' in it. I don't think yer ready fer it yet."

Maxie nodded slowly and kissed Archie's chest before rolling off, sighing softly. "I'll find somewhere to sleep. You go and get some rest. Preferably in your bed. I don't want you shrivelling up like a dried Wurmple." At first Archie didn't move, then he looked like he was about to get out and go to bed. Maxie then swam to the deeper end of the pool and curled up slightly on the bottom, closing his eyes. Archie kept a close watch, and was only intending to watch him until he went to sleep before going to bed himself.

Barely ten minutes had passed and Maxie was tossing and turning. Some residual human instinct was there and it was telling him he couldn't breathe. He was panicking, swimming up quickly to the surface, thrashing and gasping. At this point Archie was thankful he'd decided to wait. The sailor hurried out to him, swimming up to him and holding him close. "Max! Max, it's okay. I got ya. What happened?"

"Couldn't sleep... couldn't... breathe..." Maxie seemed to relax in Archie's hold. "That scared the shit out of me..."

"If it'll help ya sleep, maybe we could lay in the shallows and I'll hold ya while ya sleep. How's that sound?" Maxie could only nod at this point, still trying to quell the wave of panic. Archie carried him to the shallower edge of the pool, laying him down in the water enough so he could breathe but wouldn't be deep enough to cause panic. Eventually Maxie did settle down so he could sleep, curling around Archie a little. The sailor gently kissed his forehead before drifting off himself.