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Nines couldn't believe how long it had taken Gavin to figure out his courtship. He'd tried everything! He'd performed a mating dance, gently sashaying his hips and tail as he swam in circles around him. He'd opened his fins wide and made them float close enough to brush his battered scales and drag along his torn fins. Gavin had looked pleased but oblivious, black and green eyes softening as he trailed his clawed hands over his glittering scales. When that didn't get the message across, he'd groomed his tiny scales. They'd settled on a large rock in the beaming sun, and he'd roved his fingers up and down his long tail, picking out all the dead ones he could find and gently working them free. Gavin had made happy purring sounds and nuzzled closer before falling asleep, only waking when Nines pushed him back into the ocean.

He'd even made him a courtship bracelet, the most common form of proposal in the ocean! He'd searched high and low for the correct shell. A hundred-eyed cowrie shell. The rarest in all the ocean. It had taken weeks to find one! It looked plain. A thin cone in marbled shades of honey and caramel with vague stripes that reminded him of Gavin's tail. It truly was a perfect fit. He'd cleaned out the shell and threaded a thin vine through from tip to base before adding colourful cockle shells to the outer edge. He'd thought he understood when his eyes lit up as he'd tied it on his wrist, but the hook hadn't caught. Surely, so close to mating season, it should have been obvious!

He was almost insulted that it was Elijah who'd clued him in. Gavin had gone to visit his brother to celebrate his mating with Chloe. From what Nines understood, Elijah and Chloe had known each other for many years, and he'd finally presented her with her own courtship bracelet that she'd gladly accepted. Having made one of his own for Chloe, Elijah, of course, knew the significance of the rare shell on Gavin's wrist. He'd had Chloe show him her own bracelet, laced with pearls, calling him a hammerhead for not realising on his own. Chloe had found the whole thing delightful, especially as Gavin had laid out all the odd things Nines had been doing for the past month or so. Elijah had actually reminded him that mating season was coming up.

Once he understood the proposition, he'd disappeared for almost a month before returning with a bracelet of his own. Nines looked at the cheerful cockles on his wrist, which contrasted somewhat with the plain browns of the cowrie shell. He must have searched tirelessly to find so many shades of blue and white cockles. No two were the same. Nines could see he'd put a lot of care into it, though the holes weren't as straight as his own. Gavin was often heavy-handed, and his sharp clawed nails made delicate work difficult. His own nails were short in comparison, and barely pointed. Gavin often sighed and purred at how light his touch could be. Nines was determined to change that once he finally mated him.

They'd had trysts, of course. A season may only come once every seven years, but that didn't mean they were barred from intimacy. He and Gavin had enjoyed each other many times. They'd tumbled through the warm waters of the reef, writhed and coiled on the seabed, rolled on the beach, and rucked against the rocks. Gavin had teased and tempted him with gentle nips and caresses, guiding him down and coiling around him. They'd played games of dominance, biting and pinning until one of them gave way. Nines had kissed and licked his way along Gavin's torn fins and scars, always eager for stories to build a picture of his life.

Although they weren't far off the same age, it felt like Gavin had a wealth of experiences. He'd been in a pod since birth, and grown up exploring the ocean floor, travelling along the coasts and visiting different reefs. He'd been to the surface often, lounging in the sun and watching the land walkers from countless hiding spots. He admired the great ships they built, especially those that ended up on the ocean floor. While travelling, he'd also done his part defending the pod. He may be considered the runt of the group, but he more than made up for it in speed and dexterity. He was strong and well respected, though his pod often despaired at his habit of getting in trouble. Rockfalls, land walkers, getting caught in the great nets, squeezing through tight, jagged formations to find underwater caves, cutting himself on shattered wood and crusted metal as he explored sunken ships, and starting fights with larger sharks from other pods.

Nines' life had been dull in comparison. He and his brothers had been raised in the warm water where the great river met the ocean. It was a necessity, given their mixed heritage. Of their small brood of four, three of them had been suited to the salty sea as their absent father had been. They'd left their family behind at the usual six or seven-month mark to forge their own streams in the world. A few miles out, he and his brothers had parted, never to see each other again...At least, they hadn't seen each other in the almost thirty years they'd been at sea. Although he'd done his share of trying to find himself, it had been a dull and lonely existence.

Being mostly koi-mer, he belonged in the shallower, warmer waters of the reef rather than the cold open waters of the deep ocean. He'd tested how far he could go, but as the cold caressed his scales, he'd turned back. There was plenty to explore in the shallows without making himself freeze to death. He'd travelled the coast a lot, but rarely visited the surface. He was wary of being seen by land walkers, especially since his breed was so rare in the ocean. A few of his fresh water cousins had already been caught and removed from their homes by land walkers, never to be seen again. He didn't know if they were on display somewhere, the victims of research, eaten, or kept as exotic pets. His family had no way of finding out. Staying near the bottom of the ocean had kept him safe, but it had been lonely. His life only seemed to gain some semblance of meaning when he'd met Gavin a year and a half ago.

He'd actually been afraid at first, having never seen a shark-mer before. Despite his shorter tail, Gavin was a sight to behold. His tail was heavy and firm, with sharp, jutting fins that looked ragged and torn in places. He'd already had multiple scars crisscrossing his tail and strong chest by then, with a long strip across his nose and another down his jaw. His colouring was what Nines had found most imposing. He was a deep shade of glossy brown, with darker stripes along his back and tail. The only parts with softer pale flesh were his face, chest, and navel. His hair was short, and the same deep brown as his stripes and clawed nails. His eyes were a striking shade of black with green centres that almost gleamed in the dark, likely some form of night vision for the times he ventured out to deeper water.

Gavin had seemed hesitant, pointed ear fins flicking curiously as he'd approached. He was naturally curious, having never seen a koi-mer before. He didn't even know they existed. He'd been shocked to hear of the fresh water mer, and oddly delighted as Nines let him move closer. Despite his fear, Nines had been curious as well. Gavin's scales were duller than his own and almost seemed to blend into thick flesh. His own scales were far more vibrant. It was what had drawn Gavin's eye in the first place. His long, sweeping tail was pure white, but there were splotches of blue and black all over. The white of his scales wasn't obvious beneath the water. It reflected the bluish green of the ocean, making it appear light blue. The end of his tail and all of his fins were like delicate, floating veils that danced in the water. Gavin had been so careful the first time he'd touched them, afraid his claws would tear right through. The light touch had made Nines tremble and his silvery blue eyes had softened with yearning.

Perhaps he'd known from those first few exploratory moments that Gavin was the mate he wanted. Regardless, it had been six months before they'd confessed their interest, and another year before they'd finally claimed each other as life mates. Nines had lived with Gavin and his pod the whole time. Upon hearing he was alone with no family of his own, Gavin had invited him to tag along with them for a while, if it suited him. The shark's life wasn't for everyone, and he was lucky that Gavin's group were reef sharks rather than hardier, cold water shark-mer like those loners in the open sea. Living with the pod had suited him well, and he enjoyed Gavin's company.

They'd quickly become inseparable. They hunted and ate together, played together, and slept together. Gavin had even introduced him to his favourite hobbies, like sun bathing. He could spend hours lounging in the sun, to the point he'd burn his scales if Nines didn't rouse him to return to the water. He was bold. He bathed on discrete rocks but also dragged himself onto the beach to roll in the sand. Nines was always wary, getting so close to land walkers, but they were lucky. Gavin had good instincts, and the coves he chose were often too difficult for the land walkers to get to. He also enjoyed diving in the surf like dolphins, leaping through the rolling waves. They'd gone cave diving, and Nines had learned why he had so many scars. He was forever catching himself on sharp rocks and forcing himself through spaces that were clearly too small.

Nines had loved his time with Gavin, and wanted it to continue. It hadn't taken him long to realise he wanted Gavin to be his. The problem had been making Gavin realise it, too. It had surprised him that Gavin made the first move physically. They'd been tumbling through the reef one day, practicing their hunting skills. Nines had been playing the part of the fish, swimming fast to escape Gavin's claws. Gavin was faster than one would think. He'd caught him, and sunk his teeth into his shoulder, almost dislodging scales. He'd looked horribly guilty as he'd released him moments later, pointed ears drooped in worry as his tail caressed his fins in apology. Nines had sealed his lips moments later, coiling their tails properly to caress his rugged flesh. That had been their first coupling. He'd allowed Gavin to lay him on the seabed and sink his clasping tendrils deep in his pouch.

The thought of it was making him stir with want as he waited for Gavin. Now was an important time. A delicate time. Their season came only once every seven years, and this would be his first. Shark-mer matured a lot sooner, so this would be Gavin's third, and he knew he'd birthed two broods already. He desperately wanted him to birth his, too. The problem was that Gavin had the same desire of him. He felt that having birthed two broods; it was time he got to be the egg donor. Nines did understand, but he desperately wanted his first brood to be his eggs. This wouldn't be their only brood, and he'd already assured him he'd have no problem birthing next time. The problem was, they were both stubborn.

If they didn't come to an agreement soon, they'd either be driven into an emotional frenzy where they bitterly fought for dominance or they'd follow their sexual urges to mate with other mer. That wasn't what either of them wanted. Breeding other mer would break their life bond, while fighting could cause physical and emotional injuries. Neither of them wanted things to go that far. Nines was hoping a little persuasion would bring him round. He'd already found and furnished the perfect nest. During the weeks Gavin was away making his bracelet, he'd scoped the perfect location and started packing the nest. He wasn't worried about anyone else moving in while he was away. The stamp on the place was clear, and mer were respectful when it came to nests.

"Nines!" He looked over his shoulder at Gavin's call, smiling as he waited for him to arrive. He wasn't sure where he'd been, but the chill he carried suggested it was somewhere further out. It was good to see him again so soon, and he was in much better spirits than when they'd parted the day before. He seemed to remember himself, becoming almost hesitant as he reached him, dark gills fluttering along his neck as he held up one clawed hand. "Dear one." Nines' skin prickled at the intimate greeting as he raised his own hand and laid it flat against Gavin's. The differences were clear. Gavin's hands were large and clawed, and though Nines' were just as large, his were far more elegant with pale blue webbing between his fingers. The brown webs of Gavin's hands were far smaller, and he didn't have the same delicate fins on his forearms.

"Dear one." Gavin's expression softened at his acceptance and they touched foreheads briefly before continuing along together. Nines didn't have a direction in mind, and settled on taking a turn about the reef. They were in a quiet part, a place that was known as being their patch. If anyone wanted to find them, they'd check this area first, and they avoided it to be polite. It was the same for many mer. Everyone had their own small patch for intimate rendezvous and play. "Where have you been?" Gavin seemed taken aback at the question. His neck gills fluttered as they often did when he was embarrassed.

"I-I was just getting things ready...you know..." He looked away evasively, lips thinning as he wondered how to broach the subject. It was a subject Nines wanted to broach as well, but so far, it hadn't gone well. Nines flicked his tail and circled in front, bringing Gavin to a stop as he let his delicate fins brush along his caramel scales. Gavin accepted the touch with a small smile, raising his own tail to caress his shiny scales.

"I've also been getting things ready." Gavin looked injured as usual. Only one of the pair needed to prepare the nest, and that was the donor. They would largely be responsible for providing for their mate during fertilisation and laying, so it made sense for them to choose somewhere they considered safe with a plentiful hunting ground. The bearer was weakest during fertilisation and often slept for long periods. Although it didn't require physical activity, it was extremely draining to produce nutrient eggs and fertilise those few that would hatch.

"We don't both need to do that..." Nines could hear the wariness in Gavin's voice. It was generally at this point that they would begin to argue, which either resulted in pouting or parting. Today, Nines didn't want that. He wanted to try coaxing him into agreement with gentle nudges, and perhaps a firm push. As a shark-mer, Gavin often appreciated firmness. For now, he decided to divert the topic. He swam a circle around Gavin's sturdy body, sliding their tails together and linking their tail fins the way land walkers held hands.

"Let's not fight...I missed you..." Their parting the day before had been less than ideal, though time and space had calmed them as always. He felt Gavin's shorter tail curl a little tighter in response. Nines held up his hand once more, smiling as Gavin pressed their palms together and leaned in. Their foreheads brushed and Nines pushed even closer, nuzzling in to butt his temple and tease his ear fin with gentle lips. He sighed softly as he felt Gavin's lips pressing gentle kisses along his neck, barely teasing the edge of his blue gills. Nines shivered, letting out a gentle trill as one of Gavin's sharper teeth dragged along the inner edge. He should have been worried about having something so sharp near his weakest point, but he trusted Gavin implicitly. Gavin returned the trill with a purr of his own before they drew back enough to kiss. Nines leaned away after a single press and kicked off, playfully flicking his tail to move ahead.

He didn't go too far, barely a few feet, and Gavin quickly caught up to swim at his side again. Nines tried to get his racing heart under control. He'd never felt like this before. He'd felt amorous intent before, but this was far more intense. The water felt a few degrees hotter than usual, and his slits almost ached. He could feel himself stirring within his sheath, eggs already sliding down, ready for insertion. Gavin seemed less prepared, though his claspers had started swelling. The finlike lengths on his pelvis had grown, getting longer and thicker. Above that, his birthing pouch had started growing, preparing itself for mating. The sight almost made Nines feral. Prickles tore across his scales as his fins danced. That slit was where he'd plant his brood. Every instinct was urging him to do it, to pin Gavin down and make him his. Patience...

He could almost scent him in the water, breathing his essence through the gills lining his throat and ribs. Gavin's body was releasing pheromones, letting him know he was ready to mate. Nines knew his body was doing the same. He couldn't help wondering if it was this intense for Gavin. He wasn't sure he'd ever wanted him like this before. He wanted to bite, claw, and claim him in every way. His mating tendrils were coming to life in their sheath, ready to knot his life mate and fill him with his brood. He could also feel his pouch warming, ready to carry Gavin's eggs should their mating take that direction. Nines was determined it would not. Not this season at least.

Gavin seemed oblivious to his conniving thoughts as he caught up and swam below him. He used the long, bladelike fins on his forearms to glide back and forth, never staying still long enough to become a target. His shorter tail was somewhat elegant as he swished from side to side, making him look almost snakelike. Nines smirked. He'd often asked if he was part anaconda, joking that he must be part reptile with all the time he spent snoozing in the sun. Wanting Gavin's eyes on him, Nines dove until he could circle beneath and flick his way into the lead. He twirled his tail, flaring his fine fins as wide as possible. They almost looked like fluttering butterfly wings, and the higher he rose in the water, the shinier his scales became as the sun filtered down.

"Are you trying to seduce me?" Gavin huffed as he joined him, holding himself just a few feet beneath the glittering surface as they spiralled around each other. This could be his chance. Nines smiled innocently as he swam closer, gradually entwining their bodies in a flurry of bubbles. His longer tail easily curled around Gavin's, fins brushing innocently as he pressed himself up behind until Gavin's shoulders were snug against his pecs. Gavin almost purred at the intimacy of their position, reaching up to caress his hand as he wrapped an arm across his chest to stroke from him from pecs to waist.

"Maybe...Is it working?" Gavin chuckled softly at the deep, rumbling purr in his ear. As Nines' tail inched higher, Gavin's free hand came to rest on his shiny scales. He almost forgot himself as those teasing claws dragged along the white and blue. He scratched along the surface, dislodging loose scales and grooming him. Nines sighed in bliss as the scratching continued, silvery eyes sharpening as he gradually shuffled his tail higher. Gavin was oblivious to the looming danger, too busy enjoying the teasing fingers on his pecs and the gentle lips on his ear. He had him. He had him, and he didn't even see it! Nines' smirk widened as he slowly tightened his tail on Gavin's waist. He brought both arms up to embrace him, slowly tightening his grip until the large gills on both sides were snug in his grasp, trapped beneath his arms. He made his move.

"Ah-phck!" Gavin arched into his chest, gasping for breath as Nines' sharp teeth pierced his shoulder. He would have panicked if not for the fact it was his life mate who held him. He could still breathe through the gills on his neck, so there was no risk of death, however with a hefty chunk of his air supply cut off, he was in a uniquely helpless position. A phcking mating coil? "Hey! You phcking-" He tried to squirm free, openly moaning as Nines' teeth pulled his thick flesh. The hand on his pecs continued to tease, rolling the hardened nubs slowly as he squirmed and trembled.

"Are you ready for me, Dear One?" Nines purred, enjoying the way Gavin quivered at the use of the intimate title. Nines moaned and sighed in his ear, licking along the fanned fin and heaving gills as his thick tendrils finally slid from their sheath. He rocked his hips closer, allowing Gavin to feel the slick, writhing tentacles against his tail. He smirked as Gavin rocked back unconsciously, instincts guiding him as his body prepared itself for penetration. Despite his body's willingness, Gavin's mind was stubborn as ever as he tried to wrestle free.

"Who said you get to implant?" Nines almost chuckled at his indignation.

"I have the high ground, Gavin...You put yourself in this position." He continued to nibble his ear and shoulder, chuckling at the tired elbow that jabbed his sternum. He was too weak. The mating coil had worked precisely as it should. Being so weakened, there would be no fight as he tumbled him down to the seabed. Just to be sure, Nines kept a tight grip on Gavin's ribs as his tail coiled tightly, trapping him in a strong embrace.

"Phck! You knew I wanted to be the donor this year!" Gavin was almost winded as Nines turned their bodies, so he landed flat on the sand. His dark eyes sharpened resentfully as he glared up. Nines did his best to remain unaffected. It was hard with Gavin looking so betrayed, but he was still certain he could bring him round with the right motivation. Gavin swished and writhed as Nines' larger body pinned him to the sand. Clouds rose around them, and his neck gills burned as he breathed, screeching in objection as he was dominated. It wasn't nice for Nines either, as sharp particles stung his open gills. He huffed out a breath, clearing them as he wrapped Gavin more securely. Gavin's neck gills were wide as he gasped for breath, body weakening further as his head started spinning.

"If you felt so strongly, you wouldn't have let your guard down..." He could feel Gavin's strength failing. His tail writhed less and less, and his arms soon fell to the seabed at his sides, leaving his body heaving and completely exposed. Nines nibbled along his jaw and soothed his lips with apologetic kisses. He hadn't intended to be so rough. Gavin let out small whimpers as he accepted the tender kisses, though he was still pouting. Nines smirked as he nuzzled him, sneaking a hand lower to caress his throbbing claspers. They'd grown a lot in all their writhing and tumbling. Gavin gasped and rocked up as expected, heat filling his core as he was milked. Nines was generous with his teasing touches, moving back and forth before reaching higher to stroke his aching slit.

"N-Nines!" That's more like it. Nines purred as he nipped and kissed along his jawline, leaving Gavin's lips free to trill and moan his name. He nipped his ear fin, enjoying how it made him rock into his touch. Gavin gasped in surprise as that thrust made Nines' fingers breach his slick folds. His body stiffened a little at first, but Nines was patient. It was more sensitive than usual, tender as his pouch prepared for the brood it knew was coming. To ensure his submission, Nines returned to his thick claspers. He smirked as he squeezed and pumped, feeling solid lumps gather at the base. Gavin knew what he was doing, and put a final effort into writhing free, only pausing as Nines returned to finger his pouch.

"Lie still, Dear One...Next time, I promise." Gavin's ear fins drooped, clearly saddened as he lay helpless beneath his mate. Nines couldn't help feeling bad as Gavin turned his face away, though he did his best to make up for it with gentle nips and kisses. "Please..." His insides warmed as he felt Gavin's head turn back to nuzzle him. Nines moaned softly as he returned to the throbbing claspers, jerking and squeezing until those small lumps began to move. Unlike his own tendrils, Gavin's claspers didn't knot. His eggs were smaller and barely noticeable as they filtered down the dripping lengths. Despite the roughness that had brought him there, Gavin couldn't help twitching and trembling in pleasure as the eggs were rubbed and caressed down his claspers. They gradually worked their way out to deliver a buzz of pleasure each time they stretched his slick tips.

Nines watched entranced as they slowly popped out, making Gavin gasp and twitch each time. They were barely the size of sea grapes, translucent and gold. They were perfectly round in his webbed hand. He almost felt bad as he looked down at the few he'd milked so far. They were all potential hatchlings. Children he'd rejected. They were also nutrients he couldn't allow to go to waste. He bit his lip as he looked down at Gavin's blissful expression. His gills were wide as he gasped for breath, eyes unfocused as he gazed up at him. His whole body melted as his eggs were milked. Since he could no longer gift his brood, the fight had left him. Submissive instincts flooded his body as it acknowledged that bearing eggs was the only way left to procreate.

"Here, Dear One, open up..." Nines's voice was soft and gentle, coaxing Gavin's compliance as he pressed the first small pearl against his lips. He opened automatically, soft and docile as he was fed his own eggs. He swallowed them down, one by one. Nines purred as he watched Gavin pop each one with sharp teeth, drinking down the nectar within to be reabsorbed for their future hatchlings to feast on later. "You're doing wonderfully, Gavin..." He trilled softly at the praise, trembling and moaning as Nines continued to milk his claspers until every single egg was gone. He hadn't counted, but there had been at least thirty.

"Nines...Dear One..." Gavin's arms raised to loop around his shoulders and he melted into his embrace. Hearing his title whined in such a tender tone was reassuring after the rough and tumble they'd had. He purred softly, murmuring praise and assurances as he stroked his way down Gavin's firm pelvis to his gaping slit. He moaned as he sank in with eager fingers, testing the slickness and warmth. Now that he had no eggs, his body had redoubled its efforts to prepare the brood pouch for mating. It was warm and growing by the second, making room for Nines' thick tendrils and the gift they'd soon deliver. "Phck-please!"

"Someone's changed their tune..." Nines smirked at the helpless whine that fled Gavin's lips. Sharp claws dug into his larger shoulders, raking his pale shoulder blades. Nines growled, sinking his teeth into Gavin's shoulder in retaliation, though he was careful of his gills. Since Gavin was so willing and submissive, he'd also released the bruising grip on his ribs, though their tails remained locked. Instead of restraining, they were rubbing and caressing, fins stroking fins, scales brushing scales. Gavin moaned and quivered as Nines' thick tendrils finally started nudging his entrance. It felt so good already he couldn't stand it. He would have bucked and rutted if not for the large hands on his scaled hips.

"Please-please-phck-Nines-" He was silenced as Nines leaned down and claimed his lips, taking the chance to rock forward. His tendrils stroked and coiled in Gavin's pouch, pressing and testing the slickened walls. He moaned. This was the perfect place to plant his brood. Gavin squirmed against him, edging the thick tentacles deeper. Nines wasn't about to keep his mate wanting. He held himself on both arms as he rucked Gavin against the seabed, moaning as he accepted each pounding thrust with a returning rut of approval. He drew back to pant, mouth and gills wide as his searching tendrils finally settled in place. With a final, hard rock, he pushed the bulbous knot inside. "Nines!" It was a helpless cry as Gavin threw his head back, pleasure flooding his senses as Nines locked in. Nines moaned and closed his eyes, quivering as Gavin's pouch twitched and tightened around him, almost sucking his knotted tentacles.

"You're doing so well, Dear One. Lie still, Gavin...Hush now, take it..." Nines continued soothing and stroking as Gavin's body quivered and shuddered. He moaned low in his throat, settling against Gavin and squirming against his pelvis. He trembled himself as the first egg slipped out. Gavin almost seemed like he'd pass out in pleasure as he moaned and writhed, eyes almost vacant with bliss. As each egg slid down, the knot swelled and stretched his entrance. Nines had never felt anything like it. It was the most wonderful experience of his life. Each egg that popped free sent a dart of pleasure up his tentacles, making his core squeeze and push the next egg to the tip. With each new egg, Gavin's walls were stretched and caressed. It was a sensation he recognised, but never had a gift been so willingly received. This wasn't the brood of a passing fancy. This was his Dear One's brood. He trilled softly, finally content as his pelvis swelled.

"D-Dear One!" Nines held on tighter at the urgent cry, burying his face in Gavin's scaled shoulder. It differed from his own, which was pale and fleshy. Most of his upper body was pale and soft, his scales stopping at the halo fins at his waist. He continued to nuzzle and kiss any scales and flesh he could reach. Anything to soothe his mate. Something in his chest soared as he felt Gavin's scaled abdomen and tail swell with their brood. "Phck! How many have you got in there?" Nines chuckled softly, unable to say. Though only a few would develop life, they needed many extra to nurture their future pups and act as decoys in the event their nest was infiltrated.

"As many as your pouch can hold." It was a lie, but it made Gavin tremble all the same. It took time. A lot of time. Almost half a day passed by the time the last large egg had pushed its way out, taking his knot with it. Nines sighed, tired as he sank against Gavin's swollen tail. Gavin, being the bearer, was even more exhausted. Not only had he put up a notable fight earlier, but his body was already busy producing nutrients for the decoy eggs and fertilising the viable ones. Nines smiled softly as he nuzzled his collarbone. How many koi-mer would he bear? Three? Four? Five? It was rare to reach six or seven, but it was possible. Would they be ocean mer, like him and Gavin, or would they be better suited to the river, like his brother and cousins? He hoped at least one or two may swim the ocean reefs, and perhaps stop by once or twice.

"Come, Dear One. I have a nest prepared." Nines paused as he raised his head, chest swelling with warmth as he found his life mate sleeping. Without another word, he unfurled their tails and gathered Gavin's limp body in his arms. It wasn't hard with the ocean current holding their weight. Gavin trilled in his sleep, nuzzling into Nines' shoulder as he started swimming towards the great river.