The Ocean's Enigma ♡ Frerard

XII; Song of the Siren

Welcome back!

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Gerard carried Frank home that evening. The moon abided by the nighttime spell of sleep by becoming a witness of the scene, Frank's tired head resting against Gerard's chest as peace swept over him, evening the rhythm of his breathing. Without a quiver or so much as a sigh, Gerard cradled the sleeping beauty in his arms and past the threshold of the guest room to lay him gingerly onto the comforting pile of blankets atop of his bed. Frank shuffled underneath the sheets with tired limbs, and though the fog of his sleep, he peered up at Gerard through the slits his eyes became and smiled faintly.

"Could you sing to me?" Frank whispered.

Gerard glanced down in mild surprise. His surprise melted into a surge of shyness coloring his cheeks the color of apples, undoubtedly unflattering as it spread under his pale skin.

"You want me to sing you something?" He gently seated him beside Frank. "I can't really sing."

"I've heard you. You sing to yourself a lot, it's wonderful." Frank opened his eyes a fraction more to beam at him, utterly ethereal in the stream of silver moonlight sneaking inside through the thin veil of the curtains hanging before the window. Gerard found it unfair that the merman possessed beauty he could only barely resist, lesser in time as his guards began to wither and collapse at every lingering sign of affection. Gerard never viewed himself as a man of many weaknesses, so he accepted his fate of Frank being his only one.

"What do you want to hear?" Gerard pushed his anxiousness aside for the sake of lulling Frank to sleep. It wouldn't take long, he observed, and neither one of them would be left wounded if he carried a quiet tone.

"Anything." Frank whispered and pulled the sheets closer towards his chin. "Come here, lay with me. Please?"

"My clothes are still damp." Gerard stung deep within to protest, but the truth of his statement was visual in the way his clothing clung to his skin with chilled moisture he nearly forgot about entirely while tending to Frank. He self consciously pulled his shirt from where it clung to his stomach.

"That doesn't matter." Frank smiled softly enough to melt glaciers with the warmth softening the curve of his lips, as soothing as sunlight after rain. "Pretty please?"

Gerard wouldn't ever try to withstand his desire to join Frank's side at his request. Although he assured he carried himself with an underlying carefulness in case Frank no longer craved to be so affectionate, his heart was open and pliant with welcoming warmth he hoped would soothe the merman in ways actions could not. He crawled onto the bed without rustling the sheets recklessly and carefully nestled himself into the comfortable nook beside Frank and between the nest of pillows piled close to the headboard. The first touch of soft fabric against skin felt nourishing, but not as plentifully as the look of pure happiness dancing in Frank's eyes and his small smile as he turned over into his side to face him. He nestled into the pillow below his head and fluttered his lashes over his sleepy eyes, awaiting for the sprouting note of a tune to lull him to sleep. Gerard minutely wished he'd settle in closer, for his skin inherited a dull tingle residing in the tips of his fingers, unearthing a dangerously new craving to reach out and touch the epitome of beauty resting beside him.

Gerard remained flushed and shy under the patient gaze of the merman as he fumbled for a song to select. None too loud, none too soft, a sound he may have fallen asleep to on his lonesome. He found a song in the depths of his mind quick enough to rush through the bashfulness and begin. Sweeping his tongue over his lips, Gerard took in a short breath.

"'Kiss me goodbye, pushing out before I sleep." His voice remained soft, if not a tad shaky from nerves, but he hoped it was soothing nonetheless. "'Can't you see I try? Swimming the same deep water as you is hard . . .'"