Why did it twist up Rory’s gut to know how much Fionn cared for him? Fionn was so desperate not to let him down.
‘I’d say you’re doing pretty well,’ Rory mumbled into his seaweed blanket. ‘I haven’t punched you again, so that’s a big win.’
Fionn chuckled softly. ‘Perhaps tomorrow we can spar and you may strike me all you like. If you can land a blow, that is.’
‘Doubt I’d stand a chance,’ Rory answered, though the thought of a semi-serious wrestling match managed to stir some renewed interest from his extremely spent dick.
More time passed. Fionn’s emotions seemed to calm down, but Rory’s were still tumbling.
He was going through all the night-time encounters he could remember that had ended in his bed. There were only a handful of times that anyone had ever stayed the whole night. He remembered enjoying the novelty of soft skin: an armdraped lazily over his chest; a warm leg hooked over his thigh. Comfortable and companionable.
He’d always pushed them gently away in the morning. Created distance before either one of them could catch feelings. A future with a man like Rory wasn’t one worth having, after all. At least, that’s how he used to see it.
Rory desperately wanted to turn over and wrap his arms around Fionn.
Oh, and now there was a guilty flood of excitement coming through the bond.
Fionn huffed bubbles from his gills. ‘Can you blame me? I am being very patient.’
‘It’s not fair, having you practically inside my head,’ Rory replied without rancour. He wondered how much easier it might have been to face his attraction to Fionn if they had figured out this soul bond communication thing earlier. It was like they’d unlocked it by confronting each other, and now the current flowed both ways freely.
‘I do not try to intrude. But you must feel it yourself, how the bond carries things between us?’
‘Hard to miss it.’ Rory relaxed more deeply against Fionn’s back. He hadn’t realised how stiffly he’d been holding himself away. ‘You want my permission or what?’
‘To do what?’
‘Cuddle me, for fuck’s sake.’
Fionn spun so rapidly to embrace him that Rory had to choke down a laugh. Fionn’s arms closed around him in a gentle bear hug. His hips scooched forward to spoon against Rory’s backside, and Rory nestled into him instinctively.
Rory’s eyelids lowered. He was held. Secure. Safe. Loved.
It was wonderful.
He fell asleep to a whirl of answering emotions—protectiveness, joy, adoration—and Fionn’s smile against the top of his head.
* * *
The next morning, Rory was keen to learn even more about the Bluefolk kingdom under the Minch.
It was becoming real in his mind now, the possibility of a future in which he really stayed here with Fionn. Or left here with Fionn. Or at the very least helped Fionn get free of his arranged marriage. Helped Fionn be happy. Fionn, Fionn, Fionn.
Perhaps it was to escape this giddiness that Rory suggested Fionn take him north up the strait, away from the Shiant Isles. Fionn had hinted that Bluefolk hunters and fishermen lived out there, and Rory wondered how easy they’d be to run into.
‘It is expansive, so it’s unlikely that we shall see anyone,’ Fionn told him uncertainly. ‘We are more likely to see a whale than a Minchman.’
Rory’s eyes lit up. ‘I would love to see a whale.’
Christ, it was embarrassing how earnest his DeepSong sounded. Even Neacel glanced up at him with an amused smile.
Fionn, on the other hand, puffed out his chest and beamed with wholehearted enthusiasm. ‘Then we shall find you a whale!’
They set off after a breakfast of shrimp marinaded in a sweet sauce. Neacel stayed behind, promising to listen for news from the palace but also, Rory suspected, to allow them time to themselves.
‘Are you sure this is okay?’ Rory asked after they’d swum a few miles. He was getting second thoughts about their planned adventure for the morning. What with everything he’d absorbedyesterday, the details of Fionn’s impending wedding had fallen through the cracks a little. ‘You’ve got time for this with me? Only I think you said something about having to act quickly…’
‘For you, Rory, I have time for anything,’ Fionn replied sincerely. ‘There is nothing more important to me than you.’
