Leviathan Boyfriend: Agrios Part Two (complete)

Now everyone is aware that there is a Leviathan in the area. Despite it never showing up near the anemones, and never attacking anyone, everyone is on the highest alert. For the first few days, I kept to the anemones, but now I’m slipping away. I can’t take being surrounded by people anymore; I have to get out. My mom is a little bit better, but she’s still annoying me. I guess she thinks me ‘not being a child’ means she can force any young man on me. I know all the boys from the colony, and grew up with them, and she thinks it doesn’t matter. It’s life - natural - that I should pick one and mate with them. With the leviathan skulking around now, she’s all ‘You never know,’ and ‘Life doesn’t always go the way you plan’. 

Well, I’m going against her plan. She can be the one to suck it up for once. I leave the anemone, intent on tracking down Agrios so I could see him again. I go to the cave, like we had mentioned, and make my way up onto my small beach. I notice there are signs that someone big has been there, but I don’t see Agrios at all. 

I settle down, just happy to be away from the anemone for a while. I lay on the sand and decide to groom my tail. As I’m plucking a dead scale, the water bubbles. I sit in attention as something large comes out of the water, but it isn’t Agrios. The creature looks vaguely like merfolk, but his skin is dark blue with red streaks. He has tentacles at the top of his head that run down his shoulders and back.

“Good, you’re here.” His voice sounds strangely familiar.

I furrow my brow at him, squinting. “Who are you?”

He scoffs and lays a massive hand on his chest. “Don’t you recognize me? I know it’s been a few days since we agreed to meet, but Tali, I am hurt.”

My frown deepens and I tilt my head. “Agrios?”

He grins. “The one and only.”

I hold up my hand as he starts to get close. “No, no!” I snap at him, wagging my finger. “This is not who I met. This isn’t the great big terror of the ocean I know.” I wrinkle my nose as I look at him. “What the hell is this? You can shapeshift?”

“Not exactly,” he chuckles. He rises further out of the water, and now I see the Agrios I met before. The normal-sized merfolk part a decoy, emerging from the fleshy blue orb at the top of his head.

“That’s how I used to hunt humans back in the day.” He lowers his normal head down towards me. “Did you not like it?”

“It was odd, especially after wanting to see you for a few days.” I glance up to the top of his head as the smaller torso retracts back into the blue orb. “Were you trying to impress me?”

“I thought you might enjoy something more your size,” Agrios replies. “Humans used to like it.”

“I’m not a human,” I pout. “You don’t need to try to hide around me. I told you, you don’t scare me.”

Agrios lays on the beach beside me. “Still, sometimes it is nice to have someone more your size around. Something you can hold and touch, you know?”

I glance at him from the corner of my eye. “Excuse me?”

Agrios smirks. “I thought it might be nice.”

“What sort of holding and touching are you aiming at?” I snap at him. “I wanted to talk to you because you’re someone different, someone I find interesting. I thought you wanted to do the same.”

“I do, don’t get me wrong. But I did say I liked you, Tali.” Agrios holds up his hand. “This big old mitt will only make you uncomfortable. The Lure up there can at least hold your hand properly.”

“What makes you think I want to hold your hand?” I sniff. 

“I, uhm-” Agrios is speechless. He flounders with what to say next.

I giggle and cover my mouth with my hand. “Don’t worry about it,” I tell him. “Just don’t get presumptuous again.”

Agrios huffs. “I can’t read you!” He grunts. “When I think you’re going to go one way, you go another. When I think I’ve got you figured out, you surprise me all over again. Do you know how long it’s been since I have had an interesting conversation?”

“How would you know?” I scoff. “You said so yourself, you don’t really feel time anymore.”

Agrios huffs. “Listen, you-”

I grin up at him. “You obviously like it.” I scoot a little closer to him on the sand. “And yeah, you’re different, and I am greatly attracted to that. I won’t deny it. I’m just a bit shocked you thought-” I start to laugh again.

“What’s so funny?” Agrios growls as he gets his head close to me. “Why are you laughing?”

“You think you’re going to win me over with that pretty face up there?” I point to the blue orb. “At least that’s nothing like what I’ve seen in the anemones. You’re more than likely to earn my affection just this way.” I tap the tip of his muzzle. 

Agrios’ eyes narrow on me. “Really?”

I take hold of one his hand with both of mine. “I like the size of these,” I confess. “You could literally hold me in the palm of your hand if you wanted.” I look up at him and smile. “Squeeze me a little.”

Agrios’ fingers flex, and he growls low in his throat. “Don’t tease me now.”

“Wouldn’t think of it!” I release his palm. “What’s your hurry, anyway?”

Agrios grumbles and ducks his head down.

I lean over to him, putting my hands on his arm. “Come on now! Tell me. Why are you trying to hurry the hand-holding, huh?” I give him a shove, but of course, it’s like a grain of sand striking a mountain.

“Your life is so short,” he snarls. He looks at me with a worried expression. “If I were to let my feelings for you grow, it would only be a moment. I would blink and you’d be gone.”

“Now wait a minute,” I huff. “You do realize a moment for you is a lifetime for me? I have no need to rush, neither do you. You have to realize our time is different, and I like to take my time.”

Agrios turns back to me. “I don’t know how long that is.” He holds his palm out again, and I lay my hand in the center. “I thought, maybe, the Lure would speed things up. You’d see this handsome sort of thing, just your size, and I would-” he huffs and closes his hand around mine.

“You said you never wanted to be in love. What gives?” I take his thumb in my hand. “What makes me so special?”

“Not sure,” he grunts. “I just know these past few days, I’ve not thought of much else. You’ve stolen a spot in my mind.”

“That’s a new way to put it.” I inch closer to him again. “I’ve been excited to see you too. I couldn’t wait to get out of the anemones. Unfortunately, there is a leviathan in the area, so everyone was put on lockdown.”

Agrios chuckles. “You really wanted to see me?”

I nod. “I told you, I like different, and you’re very different.” I place a small kiss on his cheek, and Agrios growls low. 

“Don’t do that,” he huffs.

“Why not? I thought you wanted to hold hands, isn’t that a step up?” I kiss him again.

“I can’t kiss back. I might rip your head off,” Agrios snarls.

I sigh. “Okay, fine. Bring out the Lure again then.”

“You sure?” Agrios asks as he starts to slip back into the water. 

“It’s still you, isn’t it?” I let go of his thumb as he disappears under the water. A moment later, the Lure rises up. I swim out to Agrios, and his hands take hold of mine. 

“Yes, it’s me.” He brushes his fingers along my cheek. “You’re so soft and cute,” he says admiringly. “I’d be so afraid I’d squish you.” He places a long kiss on my forehead.

I whimper gently. “I wouldn’t mind being squished.”

Agrios chuckles. “You’re so soft everywhere,” he says. “Your scales, your skin.” He kisses my forehead again. “I love the color.” He pets his hand down the orange and white stripes of my body. They go down my neck and tail, even my arms. My fingers are white-tipped, with small black pads at the ends that make holding onto slick walls and the anemones easy. My face is surrounded by a ring of white, and my face itself is bright orange. My lips and eyes are pitch black. 

Agrios strokes his hand down my smooth chest and places his palm where my heart is hammering. “It’s going so fast.”

“Yeah, of course it is,” I scoff.

Agrios’ tentacle hair has been rising up this entire time. It wraps around my shoulders and tangles itself around my fingers. The tendrils tug on my wrists so my arms pull around his neck. I’m pressed against Agrios’ body - or, well, the body of the Lure.

“You aren’t going to eat me, are you?” I chuckle breathlessly.

Agrios licks his lips. “Not unless you want me to, my darling.”

I blurt out a nervous laugh. “Of course not!” I gulp down the lump in my throat and gaze back into his eyes. “So you can feel me,” I murmur. “If we kiss… what would your senses do?”

“I can taste,” he replies. “And hear, and smell.” He smirks at me. “It would be the same as if I were kissing you with my regular mouth, only a little more comfortable for you.”

“But you said you didn’t like how anemones smelled.” I press closer to him. “Is that okay?”

Agrios smirks and leans his head down. His lips brush against mine. He kisses my eyelids, my cheek. Each time, his lips tease mine. I grunt in frustration and he finally plants his lips on mine. 

As Agrios pulls away, his tentacles release my arms, and I place my palms on his chest. “How was it?” He asks me.

I moan softly. “It was, uhm-” I take a deep breath and collect my thoughts. “It was nice,” I giggle. I look up into his eyes. “What about you?”

“What would I possibly complain about?” Agrios chuckles. “I actually can’t remember the last time I enjoyed something so much.”

I sputter and giggle, burying my face against his chest. “Don’t lie!”

“Why would I?” He strokes my hair from my face. “What would I possibly gain by lying?” He kisses my forehead. “Maybe one day, I’ll earn the pleasure of learning how you’d like to be squished.”

I push at him as I laugh. “Ok now, you’re embarrassing me!”

Agrios kisses my cheek and down my neck. “I’d like to know. I really would!” He plants more kisses all over me as I struggle against him, both of us giggling and laughing until we are breathless.

We swim through the cave together when it gets dark. I place a kiss on his face before I go back to the anemones.

“Will I see you tomorrow?” he asks.

I nod. “Yes,” I swallow down my excited heart. “I really want to,” I whisper. “I don’t even want to leave right now.”

“You don’t want people to worry, I understand.” He taps the top of my head with his fingertip. “I don’t think I have earned the pleasure of an all-night visit anyway,” he laughs.

“No, you really haven’t. Just because the Lure kisses well, doesn’t mean I’ll happily share a bed with you.” I can’t help but grin. “But it’s a lovely thought, isn’t it?”

“It truly is.” Agrios whispers. “Go on home. I’ll see you tomorrow, Tali.”

We do this for a long time, meeting up on our little beach. We usually talk most of the time, but sometimes I ride on his back while he goes hunting. Agrios shows me the mainland, where we watch from under the docks as people go about their lives. I’ve never seen humans so close before, and their weird legs freak me out.

Agrios also shows me a whale shark he has been caring for. He tells me he found the poor thing trapped in a fishing net, its fins cut by the netting. He took it in and raised it, and the shark is now nearly Agrios’ massive size - but it still acts like a little pup around Agrios.

I’m content to be with Agrios, but he still isn’t comfortable with the difference in our size. So, we use the Lure when we kiss or hug. I don’t mind it - it’s still him - but there is so much more to him that I enjoy. Every evening, we kiss goodbye, then swim off in opposite directions. 

One evening as I head home, my mother pulls me into the anemones. “Don’t tell me you were napping all day again.”

“Let go!” I yank my arm away from her while giving her a dirty look. “You don’t need to grab me like that. I’m fine, you know? Besides, there’s nothing to worry about.”

“The Leviathan-” my mother starts to shriek.

“The Leviathan hasn’t attacked anything except human ships,” I snap. “No one has been hurt, and it hasn’t even come near us. I don’t understand why you’re so panicked when there is nothing to worry about.”

“I need you home!” My mother snaps. “We have a visitor waiting!”

I scowl at her. “Oh, come on, not another one,” I scoff. “Mommy, I told you, I don’t want to be matched up. I don’t want to marry any of the boys here! I know them all, and I really don’t care for them!”

“That’s what makes this so special!” My mother giggles and grabs me again. I struggle against her grip as she tugs me back home. “Remember Mr. Renalt?”

“How could I forget?” I snarl as I continue to fight against her. “His wife used to babysit.”

“He’s been lonely for so long,” My mother says. “And now, he’s looking for a new mate!” She leads me into our home where Mr. Renalt is waiting. “He said he always thought you were lovely.”

“Mommy, gross!” I snarl. “I’m old enough to be his child. He literally watched me grow up. This is somehow worse than all the young guys.” I turn to see Mr. Renalt approaching. He takes my hand and kisses it. 

“I hope you don’t mind that I invited myself over. Your mother said you would enjoy seeing me again.” The way he grips my hand is almost like a vise. “My wife and I never had many children, and it’s something I greatly regret. If I want to have a big family, I need the help of someone young and vital to carry them.”

I yank my hand away, sick of my mom and other people grabbing me and holding me. “Carry what?” I snap at him.

“Talitia! Be nice.” My mother smiles affectionately at Mr. Renalt. “He’s our guest. Be good to him.”

“No,” I snort. “Oh my god, Mommy,” I shake my head. “You’re never going to see me as an adult. I’m just some doll that you can sell off to the highest bidder?”

My mom’s expression darkens and she tries to grab my arm, but I swim away from her. “Talitia, I raised you better!”

“Is everything alright?” Mr. Renalt moves beside my mother. “Talitia, are you okay? A pretty thing like you doesn’t need such a cross look on her face.”

I shove him away before he touches me again, knocking him into my mother. Then I quickly swim off, darting away into the ocean. I follow the direction that Agrios went. I know I might never catch up with him, but at least I can get away from the anemones. 

I only stop swimming when I’m completely exhausted. My heart is pounding hard in my chest, but I am still so violently angry. I find a place to rest, realizing I should have just gone to the cave and hidden there until Agrios came back. Instead, I bolted without thinking, going somewhere but still going nowhere.

I look up towards the surface of the water, and see the moon rippling down through the waves. I huff and fall into a slouch, picking at the sand while I let the seething rage inside me become bitter little shards. I know why my mom wanted me to meet Mr. Renalt. It’s the same as everything she does; she wanted to control me. My brothers were lucky, but me being the one girl was my downfall. With me, she had a special little object to could dance around. Mr. Renalt would allow her to keep that, and get all the blessed little grandchildren she could desire.

Well, now she’s ruined it. I was willing to work with her and try to come to an understanding, but this has been the final straw. I’m not ever going back to the anemones. From now on, I’ll stay by Agrios’ side.

Something swims overhead, and I look up to see Agrios’ whale shark, Sparkle. She comes down near me, and I pet her side. “Can you take me to Agrios?” I ask her.

She briefly nuzzles my belly, then swims away. I follow, and she leads me deeper into the ocean than I have ever been before. Finally, Sparkle comes to a stop over a cavern that is like a crack in the ocean floor, so deep that it’s pitch-black inside.

“Is he… is he here?” I start to swim closer to the darkness, but suddenly it is lit by blue lights like a constellation. Agrios rises from inside, and his eyes meet mine. 

“Tali, what are you doing here?” he gasps.

I’ve been ignoring the heavy pain in my chest for so long, but seeing him makes it break open and spill out. I throw my arms around him, clinging to him as I sob. Agrios puts his hand around me, holding me in his palm.

“Tali, what happened?” he whispers. “Are you ok?”

I sob and rub my eyes. “I can’t go home,” I whimper. “My mom, she- my mom- she-” I blubber more, and Agrios holds me close. I sit in his palm and his fingertip brushes along my cheek.

“I’m here, it’s okay.” He dips his head down, letting me nuzzle his cheek. “I’m so sorry, Tali. I know you’ve been struggling with her.”

“She brought home this guy, this… this old man!” I blurt.

“Surely not as old as me.” He tilts his head.

I sniffle and let a smile bloom. “Not even close. But still,” I whimper. “He could be my father. It’s disgusting,” I grumble. “He watched me grow up. Said I was also so lovely.”

“I can see why you were uncomfortable.” Agrios murmurs.

I look up at him. “If I go back home, it’ll only get worse and worse,” I whisper. “Please, let me stay with you.”

“What about your beach?” Agrios gasps.

“There are others.” I grasp the tip of his thumb. “There is a whole world you can show me. Places we can make our own.”

“Would you want that?” He gasps. “I mean, I know you do, but-” He grunts. “I’m so excited by this, I can’t think straight!”

I giggle and hug his muzzle. “I love you,” I whisper to him. “And I want to spend the rest of my days exploring the world with you.”

Agrios whimpers. “Tali,” he sighs. “That’s what I want too.” He gently kisses my forehead as best as he can. “I love you too.” He squeezes me in his palm, and I wriggle in his grip. It feels good, like an all-over hug that’s warm and perfect. 

“Is that what you meant by squishing?” Agrios asks.

I nod enthusiastically. “Don’t be afraid to get clingy. I like how this feels.”

“I’ll still have to be careful.” he whispers. “We do always have my Lure for when we want to be more intense,” he chuckles.

“Exactly.” I take hold of his fingertip again, and he leads me deep down into the cavern to where he sleeps. It’s so dark, but the glow of his body makes it cozy and romantic. I curl up in the nest of his tentacles, letting them squeeze around me as we drift asleep.

Come morning, we collect Sparkle and start swimming away. I take one last look behind me, saying goodbye to the anemones, wherever they are in the distance. I then look back up to Agrios and grin as he places me on his head, where the Lure takes hold of my hands.

“Where to?” he asks me.

“Anywhere.” I turn to look towards the horizon. “Something you think I would enjoy seeing.”

“As you wish.” Agrios whispers. He kisses me. “As you wish.”