It was fair to say that Beau had actually found something that made him me happier than cupcakes!
He’d moved to Somber not long ago and although he had settled in right away, he’d still felt there was something missing. Being the social butterfly that he was, he’d always longed for friends, someone to share his time with and someone he could share his feelings with. Of course, this was not permitted outside of his old tribe so the boy hadn’t the best social upon arriving in the small town.

Still, he had met someone that made his heart dance every time he thought about them that didn’t seem to notice how socially awkward the boy could be. He hadn’t expected for Finny to agree to a date, he hadn’t even expected to get his phone number the first time they had met.
As he pulled up on the edge of the forest where he had spent most of his time since moving here, he couldn’t help but feel smitten with the blonde boy sat next to him. Holding a big smile on his face as he climbed out, he quickly scooted over the bonnet of his brother’s car again and opened the door for his new friend. In all honesty, beau felt that he liked the boy more than a friend because he had never felt like this before about anyone nor had anybody made him feel the way Finny did.

He grinned nervously at the young siren as he closed the door again and then quickly glanced around. He knew there were other gifted beings that spent a lot of time in the forest, beings that weren’t so nice and caring and the last thing he wanted to do was walk Finny in to the path of danger. Though he was still young and naïve and probably not the best fighter, he would never let anything bad happen to him.
He could sense nothing though. Only birds in the trees and the odd small creature gallivanting across the forest floor.

Turning back to Finny, he bit his lip and felt his cheeks warming again, the same thing they did every time he looked at him.
"You are beautiful Finny... you really are..." He had no idea why he said this but as soon as the words left his mouth he felt his already rosy cheeks burn even more. Inside his stomach was jumping around, already excited about sharing his favourite spot with the only person he even wanted too.
"Ready?” He asked as he took Finny’s hand and started walking towards the trees.

Finny had been excited about this date he was going on with Beau. Sure it hadn't exactly been as planned with the wolf showing up so early the siren was still asleep but he honestly didn't care in that moment. He watched where they were driving to before the car finally stopped. He gracefully exited the car and looked around, doe eyes taking in the sights around him. He had clearly heard what Beau had said and turned his own shade of scarlet, the wolf being far too adorable for his own good.

"Thank you... You really are too sweet."

He turned brighter, looking away while twisting a finger through his hair in the process. He gave a nod at being asked if he was ready, his little hand giving a slight squeeze to Beau's own as if to confirm. He was still a bit nervous of the other seeing his tail and all but he was doing his best to push it away while they walked.

It made beau feel fuzzy inside to see Finny looking around at his surroundings and taking it all in. He had never brought anyone here with him before; it had always been his little secret place that he could escape to. He hoped that the siren would find it just as breathe taking as he did. Of course, as he watched Finny walking by his side through the trees, he thought to himself that the forest was nothing in comparison to the siren.

He noticed that Finny was still acting differently compared to their first meeting, a lot quieter and distant which made Beau worry. He couldn’t help but think that maybe he had done something wrong. It could have been that he had been too early picking him up and he was still feeling bad for waking the poor blond boy up. He worried more that maybe the siren might have been having second thought about the whole thing. He couldn't tell, all he knew was he wanted to make Finny happy and it didn't seem to be working.

He watched as a butterfly fluttered around them both and it reminded him of the butterflies he had felt the first time he had met Finny, they still visited him when the two were close. He laughed lightly as it landed on the boys blond hair. Clearly Beau wasn’t the only thing the siren attracted. He grinned, slipping his hand from Finny’s hand and placing it around the boys shoulder instead. He gave him a gentle reassuring squeeze to try cheer him up a bit though wasn’t sure if it would work so backed it up by trying to talk.

“I am sorry I woke you up Finny but… I really am happy you are here! I haven’t been able to sit still since you agreed to come, quite literally. My aunts said I drive them mad.” –He giggled slightly and shook his head at his own giddiness.- “I just wanted to see you happy and I thought you would like it here. Are you angry with me for waking you up?”

Finny kept looking about and enjoying the hum of life around him while they walked. He knew this place they were going was special to the wolf and couldn't wait to see it but again his mind wondered to Beau seeing his tail, making him the touch bit quiet. He gave a little squeak as his hand was let go and an arm moved around his shoulders, pressing him closer to Beau. His face turned a paled scarlet at this as the wolf talked. The siren pooled up to him and gave a little giggle st hearing the thing about his aunts going mad from beau's excitement. His eyes grew wide at the other thinking he was mad at the wolf and moved to hug Beau in a means that still allowed them to walk.

"I'm not mad at you for that. I'm just a little nervous.... If I get in the water you'll see what I really look like and I'm really selfconscious of it."

He was part fish for Neptune's sake, wasn't that just s scary enough thought on its own? He shook his blond hair to Clear the thought away, managing to shake the butterfly out of his hair too. He watched it flutter away for a moment and give a pleasant smile to Beau. He really was happy to be there, it just meant a few adjustable.

Beau’s face lit up like a Christmas tree at Christmas when he felt Finny’s arms hug him back. He sighed in relief to hear that the siren wasn’t mad at him and realised he was just being silly. Still, anything that made Finny unhappy made him unhappy too so he stopped them both in their tracks and turned the young siren gently to face him.

He sighed at a loss for what to say that could make Finny feel less nervous. There were a lot of things he wanted to say but didn’t know how to.
Her raised his hand and used his fingers to delicately moved Finny’s hair from his face and brushed it behind his ear as he looked at his with pure adoration.
“Finny, I wouldn’t care. I just want to be with you, no matter what you look like. You make me laugh and you make me smile and I just want to be able to do the same for you. You’re beautiful inside as well as the out and that’s what I like about you. Now come on, stop being silly.”

With that he placed the palm of his hand on Finny’s cheek then leant forward slightly and kissed the top of Finny’s head. When he pulled away, he had the most playful grin across his face again as he took Finny’s hand and started to pull his forward excitedly.
“It’s just on the other side of these trees anyway. And if it means that much to you, I promise I won’t look.”

Finny would have fathered to hide his face over his insecurities when Beau stopped their walking and faced him. Doe brown eyes looked up confused as his hair was pushed away from his face. Color quickly started to rise in his cheeks as the wolf went on about things that were sweeter than sugar to the siren. His eyes directed themselves to his shoes, a hand moving to tug and twist a strand of hair. He had been told sweet words before but none that could make him blush so brightly. He leaned in the slightest bit at the hand on his face, blush going brighter at the kiss to his head. He looked up with scarlet cheeks at the grinning wolf before letting himself be led by the boy to where ever they were going.

He was still very much curious of what the place looked like and had a sweet, shy smile cross his face at Beau saying he would t look if it meant that much to him.

"I'll let you see...just try not to stare, please?"

If there was one thing that made him uncomfortable it was staring. The siren didn't want to be liked for just the beauty he had but it seemed this wolf was showing more than that sort of attraction. He kept up with the wolf as he now was nearly as excited at Beau was.

It seemed the two had a mutual agreement. Beau nodded his head as Finny’s request and would keep to his word.
Leading the siren through the trees that ran along the outside of the small lake, they walked in to an opening that truly took Beaus breath way every time. At this time of the day, the sun was still rising, not quite overhead yet so it cast through he trees on the other side of the lake. The parts of the clear water it did touch cause the water to glisten and sparkle like you only see on TV when they advertise nice places. He knew the ones on TV usually lied though but this; this was like a little bit of heaven just for him. Along the grassy verge, the flowers were still in full bloom and the orange leaves on the trees caused the area to have a warm, homely feel to it. He would spend every day here if he could.

He turned and smiled at Finny before dropping his hand and running to the water’s edge. He could see the bottom of it clearly as well as his faint refection staring back. Excitedly, he jumped on the spot before turning back to Finny.
“See! It’s beautiful! And it’s always warm… come and look!”
He held his hand out for the siren but turned back to the water with a gleeful look to watch the sparkles reflect off. He was sure someone must have enchanted it at some point. No lake ever looked like this. It was like something you’d only find in a fairy tale.

Finny kept following along, eyes wondering all over their surroundings before they came to a stop in a little opening in the trees. Doe brown eyes grew wide as they looked on mesmerized for a moment at the glittering water before him. It took a moment for him to just resist jumping into the water while he watched Beau take off from him for a moment and Jumping onto the water's edge. He carefully made his way over to Beau and placed his delicate hand in the wolf's. he could see clear to the bottom of it and it made him smile before looking over to the wolf with a cheery giggle.

"it really is beautiful. The perfect little oasis for you."

He was clearly being careful about getting water on him as he stood on the edge of the water but not in it like Beau. He almost seemed nervous when it lapped at his flats, his lack of charmed earrings making him on edge about transforming halfway.

Beaus giggle pretty much mirrored Finny’s when the relief washed over him. He had been worried for most of the day that Finny may just think him silly for liking something so simple yet it seemed they both thought it beautiful. Grinning, Beau turned back to Finny and noticed the young Siren keeping away from the water’s edge. Taking care not to splash, Beau stepped away from the water and led Finny to an old willow tree that he had spent many days lying under in the summer.

Once there, he didn’t hesitate to pull his T-shirt over his head and kick his shoes off. He wasn’t as muscular as most wolves he knew, in fact he was probably the least muscular of them all. He had a natural tan across his slightly toned body and he was happy with that and had no shame. Glancing at the water and then back at Finny and smiled sweetly though inside he was jumping around with excitement.

“How about you wait here until and I’ll go in first? Then you can come when you feel ready? I’ll keep my back turned. I promise. Just don’t laugh at me...”

With that, he leant forwards slightly and left a soft kiss on Finny’s cheek before grinning again and rushing off towards the water. On the water’s edge he found just enough time to drop his shorts so he was in just his black underwear before he spun on the spot to wink at Finny and dove straight in.

The water was warm considering it was nearly autumn and reminded Beau of being in a bath at home. Under the water everything was so bright and quiet, it was heavenly yet again. Only when he rose for air did he realise his hair had gone all curly at the sides and suddenly felt embarrassed. Still, he kept his back to Finny as he hummed happily to himself and stared at the bottom of the lake for any sign of hidden treasures.

Finny followed curiously where Beau was leading him next.he was confused for a moment before color flooded his face at the wolf taking off his shirt. Eyes went wide before he looked away with a tug to his hair. He knew he was being a bit silly with hiding his eyes but at the same time couldn't help it. He gave a tiny nod at what Beau said before going a shade darker at the little kiss to his cheek.

"O-okay..."

His words stammered a bit and he didn't so much as move until he heard the wolf was in the water. He looked to see that Beau was facing away from him before reaching into his bag for the yellow sarong skirt he kept for moments like this. He moved quickly with changing out of his clothes and tied the yellow fabric tightly around his waist. He gave a shaky breath before stepping over to the water. He ended up just freezing at the edge, still hesitant before just diving in. As soon as he was under he waited a moment until his tail and gills had fully formed. He surfaced and looked at Beau, a shy blush still on his face.

"Y-you can look now..."

His bioluminescent specs were glowing brightly even in the morning sun, his webbed ears looking to fold some as he was nervous of being rejected for his real form.

It didn’t take long before Beau heard the sound of someone diving in to the water behind him and had to force himself not to turn around to find the siren. He remembered his promise so stayed looking ahead with an almost nervous look across his face. He wasn’t sure as to what extent Finny’s change would be or what to expect but he prepared himself none the less for a little surprise.

As soon as he heard Finny telling him he could look, he did. Treading the water carefully, Beau turned to look at Finny with great interest. At first his expression turned to awe as his eyes ran over Finny’s beautiful bioluminescent specs and to the tail where his heart stopped for a second before he started grinning. He wanted so badly to reach out and touch it, taking it in as something fun and pretty to be played with more than anything freaky to be avoided. Even his gills and webbed ears made him look adorable when he was nervous.

Without a word, Beau dove under the water and pawed at Finny’s tail, almost giggling as he did so before choking on the water and coming back up for air.
“Finny! It’s amazing! I love it! It’s so… you are amazing and very pretty!” He exclaimed in a high pitched squeal as he had to do a double take over the sirens body again. He was literally in awe at the whole thing as he stared at Finny in fascination. “Can you swim fast and hold your breath and see properly under the water? We should see who can hold their breath for the longest!” He almost squealed again in excitement as he started circling the siren, occasionally stroking his fingers across the scales and Finny’s ears before turning bright red with embarrassment.

“Oh, I’m Sorry…”

Finny was on edge when Beau turned around to look at him. He didn't know why he would expect bad but went Scarlett at the grin. The siren gave a mild squeak at the scales of his tail suddenly being touched, somewhat surprised at beau being so bold in doing so. He gave a shy smile at seeing the wolf so excited, seeming to calm down by giving a giggle at the rapid fire of questions. The siren liked to see so much energy in the other but still blushed brightly each time fingers glided over his scales or his ears, the webbed features looking to fold up and back each time they were touched. He watched Beau turn brilliant red in the cheeks and heard the apology before giggling again.

"I thought you were going to freak out, but this reaction is much better. Though I don't think holding our breath would be very fair since I have gills. But we can race if you like?"

He wasn't even so much as struggling to stay upright in the water, his body loving the feel of water able to wash over him like was a feeling greatly missed. Beau being there just made it all the more worth it.

Beau had to admit, he could see why some people may get freaked out at seeing Finny in his other form but to the young pup, it was most fascinating. He had never seen anything like it. He had to force himself not to dive under and keep pawing Finny’s tail playfully as he felt sure the young siren wouldn’t appreciate that.
He pouted slightly at the point Finny made, realising that it would leave the siren with a much bigger advantage. Still the race was just as tempting even though he knew he wouldn’t stand much chance on winning that one either.

Glancing down at his legs which were treading the water expertly, he was thankful for once that he had grown up by the sea and had learnt to swim better than most people he knew. He ran his fingers through his hair before wiping the water from his eyes to see Finny better and for a moment, he got lost in the sirens beauty once more.
Daring himself to close the gap between them sheepishly, he gazed in to Finny’s eyes as he placed a hand on the sirens hip and bit his lip.
“I think… I don’t know what I think...”

He was at a loss for words and even thought there was water everywhere, his mouth had turned dry and was refusing him to speak properly. He wasn’t sure what he was meant to do. He knew what he wanted to do but couldn’t bring himself to do anything. After a moment, he finally broke eye contact and leant in, deciding to save the awkwardness though it was obvious he was dissapointed he had.
“I think… that since you have a tail… I should get a head start on this race.”

With that, he let go of Finny, spun around and dived back under the water. He kicked his legs smoothly and fast though he knew the siren could easily over take him if he wanted too. Still, it was fun none the less and as he watched the bottom of the lake go by, he couldn’t help but think about Finny and the moment he had just missed.

Finny found the mild pout rather adorable on Beau's face. He resisted giggling at the expression when the gab between them grew smaller. Color tinted his cheeks as he felt hands rest on his cloth covered hips while their eyes locked. The siren shyly lift his own hands to Beau's shoulders. He kept his eyes locked for a few moments, eyes looking confused yet expecting something before the wolf talked. His heart sank a touch as the idea of racing was brought back up. He didn't want to be let go but was too nervous to try and pull Beau back before the wolf took off. Finny gave a tiny smile at this before moving to dive under the surface. It was no struggle at all for him to catch up with Beau before passing him up slightly. His tail flicked powerfully above the water, the splash being accidental but still pretty with how it caused his scales to glitter. He stopped once he was closer to the edge, turning to Beau with a bright smile. He was far enough in land to sit on the floor some, his tail flicking out of the water every so often as he was just happy to enjoy the water and beau's company. He couldn't help to slightly pout though as he had hoped beau would have tried to kiss him or something when they had been so close. The siren was starting to think he was going to have to take things into his own hands.

It wasn’t like beau wasn’t trying but it didn’t matter how fast he kicked his legs, he couldn’t keep the distance between himself and Finny before the siren had caught up and over taken him. He tried not to laugh to save himself from swallowing the water but when realising he may as well give up; he resurfaced just in time to start giggling. He just caught the rainbow of colours Finny’s tail had made in the splash and yet again, had to pause for a minute to take it in. Sure, he’d seen all kinds of supernatural stuff around Somber but nothing he could really call ‘magical’ apart from Finny.

He grinned happily as he swam the rest of the way to Finny at a leisurely pace, biting his lip when he noticed the pout Finny held on his face as his tail flicked out of the water. Once he reached the siren, he paused for a moment, kneeling on his knees so his shoulders and head were out of the water and smiling sheepishly at him. He couldn’t help wonder if the siren looked slightly disappointed for the same reasons he had. He didn’t want to make a mistake and end up hurting Finny because he had the wrong idea.

Silence had fallen around them as he shuffled closer to the point he had his hands on either side of Finny’s tail. He wasn’t blushing for once though; instead his whole body trembled as he drew his face closer to Finny’s figuring it was either now or never. Besides, what was the worst that could happen?
Resting a finger under Finny’s chin, he lifted the sirens face until his lips brushed his, softly at first before his kiss turned needier. His heart was pounding in his chest and he felt it was going to burst at any moment. It didn’t last long but when he did pull away again, he found it hard to breathe.