A Tale of Skeptical Sailors and Mischievous Mermaids

Part 9

The environment of the grotto seemed to heighten the senses. The cavern echoed every sigh and moan, even the softest sounds bounced off the stone walls, amplified before it reached anyone's ears. The smell of the earth and the ocean was immersive, making it hard to ignore the fact that one was underground. The darkness of the cave was almost complete except for the few bioluminescent creatures that swam up from the depths and circled around them. They cast a bluish light onto everything, making it feel like one was already underwater. It should have been unnerving, but the overall effect was strangely calm. With most of the subterranean space in shadows, the only thing visible was the face of the creature in front of you, imbuing it with importance and an otherworldly radiance. The ocean air lent a salty taste to whatever met your tongue. And when flesh made contact with something else, it was all-consuming.

Amazing, really, how a person could change so quickly here. When all guile was dropped and they felt they were all alone in the world. When everything else, all the stress and minutiae of life fell away, and one was allowed to focus only on the present. How a finger merely touching an arm or caressing a cheek could envelop someone entirely. Your skin wasn't just a collection sensitive spots or erogenous zones, but it became everything and all things. To touch one part was to touch all parts at the same time.

This is how Thomas found himself. He had learned the female's name was Maria, and she was now in front of him slowly kissing and nibbling on his neck. Her hands snaked up his chest and her tail undulated between his legs, stroking his calves and thighs simultaneously. Her mouth eventually found its way to his, and her tongue pushed between his lips, curling against his teeth and coaxing him to explore her mouth similarly. Laf had drawn up behind him and was tentatively running his fingertips down Thomas's upper arm.

Jefferson smiled. "Quite a light touch for such a sinewy creature." The merman dipped his head and pressed a kiss to Jefferson's shoulder. The commodore hissed in his breath and his gaze traveled to the other officer who was perched on a large stone near the perimeter of the cave.

Thomas turned his head and instantly his mouth was claimed by the mouth of the naiad. "Laf," he whispered against his lips, "Ben looks lonely." He nodded his head and urged the siren closer to Tallmadge. The creature smiled, giving him one more kiss before he swam to the other side of the cavern.

"Ben?" Laf swam up to him and smiled.

"Hi." The lieutenant chuckled nervously.

"Hi." The merman repeated and his grin grew wider. He looked on either side of the human's head, like he was checking for something. He then dove under the water and came back with shells and rockweed and pointing to his own braid.

"You want to make me one of those?" Tallmadge smiled.

Laf nodded and timidly reached up to pull at the ribbon that tied Ben's hair back. His blonde tresses were set free, causing the merman to smile and run his long, webbed fingers through the strands.

"That feels good." Ben said softly and Laf moved closer to him. The sailor repeated the action in kind, gently pulling at the twine that held the merman's ponytail, setting his dark curls free. Laf shook his head and giggled softly, cheeks flushing pink. Ben also blushed slightly. "Are you shy?" The creature looked at him curiously and bit his bottom lip, unsure of what that meant. Tallmadge coiled a strand of Laf's hair around his finger. "It's all right. I am too." He looked down and the merman placed his hands on Benjamin's thighs, pulling himself up. Tallmadge caressed his face and leaned down, drawing in a shaky breath and pressing his lips to the siren's.

There was a splash as Laf's tail smacked against the water happily. Thomas pulled away from Maria and looked over at the other two inhabitants of their cavernous paradise. "Looks like he was more to your taste, then?" He teased. They paid him no mind, Benjamin slipping into the water and Laf's embrace. "I'll take that as a yes." Thomas muttered before he was beset by Maria again. She playfully pushed him further away from the edge of the cavern, towards the dark, deep middle. Thomas was more than happy to oblige, letting himself be carried by the slight current that was pulling them to the center.