Strange Love

Arei sank against the wall of the shower letting the hot water flow over his icy body. By now, it was obvious to him the cold he felt came from some where deeper than the chill of the New England ocean. As if stuck on auto replay, his brain just kept flashing back to earlier.

His heart had leaped back to life with hope as Ry had explained the tense situation of earlier to him. He'd let out a sigh of relief as Ry's irritation continued to increase. "Don't you understand?!" Ry yelled. "If the kid finds out she's only telling him what he wanted to hear this whole time, it will be a sure-fire shit show! With everything we've taught him and with his lack of control over those teenage emotions of his... we will practically be unleashing a damn bomb on the entire Mediterranean!"

Ry huffed out an irritated puff of air. "Are you even trying to think with the head between your shoulders right now?" He flung his hand out to the window. "Have you seen them together? That's not an act, Arei. They truly love each other." He ran a hand through his short hair. "You saw for yourself; the boy was able to help her through a process in six weeks that we had both failed at over the course of three years." Arei only grunted and looked back out to the open ocean.

"If you're considering playing the long game, you're only setting yourself up for a life of torture. It's hard to see someone you love openly love another... whether it's 4 years or 400..." Tri said quietly as he ran the pad of his thumb over the tattooed wedding band. Before Ry or Arei either one could reply, the sounds of gunshots had reverberated through the tower.

Arei jumped to his feet and bolted to the window Ry had already been leaning against. His eyes searched the beach and cliffs for any signs of duress. "What the..." He narrowed his eyes trying to force them to zoom in on the figures silhouetted against the setting sun on the highest peak of the cliffs. He began moving toward the spiraling staircase of the lighthouse in a hurry. He struggled to believe his own words as they left his lips. "There's people on the cliffs!" More gunshots sounded causing him to pick up speed as he worked his way down the steep steps.

Greek Island of Zakynthos

"Drinks all around!" Ry called out as he toasted his pint to Arei once again before chugging it's contents.

Arei laughed and took another long drink. "Admit it, you're only glad that you'll get longer that a weekend off from our favorite lil beasty."

Ry chuckled, "It has been a good while since I last partook of some proper debauchery." To emphasis his point, he pulled the bar maid down onto his lap as she refilled his mug. "Would you like to join me later for proper debauchery?" He asked her huskily.

Arei laughed, shaking his head. "Thank the gods a simple dip in the ocean can cure all your ailments… otherwise brother, you'd have some serious health concerns by now."

Ry gave a heavy, guttural laugh. "Sure you don't want to join? The place is full of willing enough participants and 'our lil beasty' does well enough on her own. She shouldn't expect your return until morning."

Arei shrugged, "It's been several months, and my last stay was so short, I thought I'd drop by tonight." He raised a small sack that he'd had prepared by the bar earlier. "Speaking of which, I should get going before the food gets any colder."

A mischievous grin curled the corners of Ry's full lips, "I'll still be here in the morning. You should stop by and see me off." His grin hinted of something unspoken.

Arei narrowed his eyes on his brother. "What are you up to? You never ask me to see you off."

Ry shrugged, poorly forging indifference through his drunken state. "No reason. Just figured my twin, of all people, cared enough to say goodbye before I took off on a dangerous quest."

Arei puttered out a laugh. "Sure, I'll be here in the morning, but not because I think you're at any risk of impeding danger." Arei stood up and finished his beer, before placing the mug back on Ry's table and nodding his goodbyes. As he made it to the door, he heard Ry call out.

"Can't wait to hear from you in the morning!" Ry's excited words boomed through the crowded room.

As she turned toward him, making no effort to cover her naked upper body for his shocked gaze, she asked in mild curiosity. "Oh, you're here? Did you forget something earlier?" When he didn't answer, she neared closer to him tilting her head. "Are you alright? You're not hurt or… had too much to drink, have you?"

"Is this new?" She asked as she traced the fresh tattoo.

He'd gotten it before heading to this island this morning. It marked the win of his most recent battle, the crest of the king he'd fought with. "Yes… this morning…" He knew he should stick with the rules, he and Ry had agreed on and not allow her to study the tattoos too closely. To the untrained eye most of their ink looked identical, but if closely studied many of the markings were only similarly shaped and placed, the images and patterns themselves were very different. His dick jumped again below the water as she ran a light touch over the nipple ring directly below the new tattoo.

Her eyes studied it curiously. "What is this?" She asked glancing up at him as she carefully tugged on the bar. "It goes all the way through? But why."

"Then we could eat it together…" She asked.

Arei nodded, completely absorbed by the large, innocent aqua eyes gazing up at him, before he even realized what he was agreeing too.

She smiled brightly back at him. "Race you there?" She asked as she dove into the water.

"I win." She was laughing happily before she met his gaze. Her laughter trailed off as their eyes met. She turned completely and walked to where he was submerged in the shallow waters of the shore. Her tiny hand cupped his forehead. "Are you sure, you're alright? You fill hot and you look a bit flushed."

Arei gulped as he tried to keep his eyes from raking hungrily across her naked body, only slightly covered by her long hair that she'd let hang over her shoulder. He could only nod as he forced his body lower into the water. "You go on inside. I'll be in, in a few minutes." His words wore raspy against the lust and hunger building in his groin.

Arei groaned inwardly as he pushed the door of the cave open nearly 20 minutes later. Patiently waiting by the tiny table, Jos set in a simple pale blue dress and laced up bodice. Her plump breast pressed enticingly against the laces of the garment meant to contain them. His brain battled between bending her over the table or storming back to the inn and kicking Ry square in the balls.

"Are you sure, you're alright? Maybe you should sleep here tonight. If you're feeling unwell, that is." Her soft voice was laced with worry as she tilted her head in his direction.

Arei cleared his throat and forced the words past his lips. "I couldn't stay here, kitten… not tonight." He ran his hand through his damp hair the other gripping the handle of the door. "In fact, I should be heading that way now. You enjoy, alright." He'd barely stepped out the door when tiny hands found one of his large ones. He froze in place.

"Then I should walk you back, Sir. You really shouldn't be alone at night on this island in your condition." She argued sweetly.

Two large aqua eyes stared up into his and he was lost. The tiny girl of three years ago had stole his heart, but this woman before him now would take his very soul. He turned toward her, lifting her hands to his lips and placing a light kiss across her knuckles. "My lil one, you've grown so much over these short years… So caring and considerate." He brushed a few stray damp hairs from her face, letting his fingers graze her cheek and to his amazement she leaned her face into his caress. He cupped his hand against the side of her head and gently pulled her closer, stroking the soft skin below her ear with the pad of his thumb. "I have to go, kitten. I'll be fine on my own." He smiled down to her. "If you walked me home, it would be your safety I'd have to worry about."

Her bright curious eyes twinkled under the gleam of the full moon. "I would be fine. I've walked this island many times alone at night.