He gave a light laugh, "Don't joke around, Morgan. You must remember me."

Morgan's eyes remained blank.

Atlantis felt his heart stop, his body frozen and unable to move. How was this happening? How could Morgan not remember him? They had grown up together, sharing soft, passionate kisses to intimate and sometimes unsure touches.

It was all gone.

It felt like something vital had been ripped from his chest, leaving behind a hollow, aching chasm. His breaths came shallow, each one more difficult than the last. His vision blurred with tears that he refused to let fall, his pride the only thing keeping them at bay.

Slowly, he backed away, his tail heavy as if weighted by chains. His eyes stayed fixed on Morgan, silently pleading for something—anything—to spark recognition in his gaze. But there was nothing. No flicker of recognition. No warmth. No love.

His heart crumbled.

He turned quickly, desperate to escape before anyone saw him break. The green walls of the coliseum blurred as his tears finally betrayed him, streaking down his cheeks in hot, relentless streams.

"Atlantis!" he heard his brother say, calloused fingers grabbing his wrist and tugging him backward. Atlantis stumbled, his strength draining as Kai pulled him into an embrace.

"I don't understand. What happened?" he sobbed, raw pain cracking his voice like brittle glass.

Kai's arms tightened around him, firm but comforting. "I don't know, brother," Kai murmured, his hand rubbing slow circles on his back. "You should ask Ren."

"It may be only temporary," a soft voice said from behind them. Atlantis pulled away from Kai's arms, his body tense, his eyes rimmed with redness as he rubbed the tears away with the back of his hand.

"What do you mean?" he asked, his voice trembling with hope and dread.

Silver eyes bore wisdom and intelligence, a touch of what looked like motherly concern. "The mind is a complicated thing. Morgan has what most humans call temporary amnesia. His memories can come little by little or all at once."

A rush of air left his lungs in a sharp exhale, his chest heaving with relief that felt too fragile to last. "Thank the gods. How do I help him regain his memories?"

Ren pursed her lips for a moment, her eyes scanning him with gentle patience. "Well, you can show him the places where you two often visited. Things that he should be used to every day, but for now give him some space."

"Space?" Atlantis's voice rose, his eyes wild with desperation. "How can I give him space when he's already so far away? I can't lose him, Ren! I can't!" His breathing grew rapid, panic tightening his chest like a vise.

Ren leaned forward, her hands resting on his shoulders. "Listen to me, Atlantis. You are strong, and you've always been patient with him. You're going to need that patience now more than ever. If you push him, you'll only scare him. Do you want that?"

He shook his head, his fists clenching and unclenching by his sides. His entire body felt like a coiled spring on the verge of snapping. His gaze lowered to the floor, shame creeping into his voice. "No, I don't. I just... I just want him to look at me the way he used to. I want him to see me."

Ren's gaze softened with understanding. "He will, Atlantis. But it's going to take time."

Atlantis clenched his fists in determination, his knuckles turning white. He was willing to fight for Morgan—Morgan, the one who had also saved him from the depths of despair. The witch who had his own tragic history but always looked on the brighter side of people.

He was going to help Morgan remember, no matter how long it took.

****

Cassio waited until everyone had left the room before he slipped in. He hovered at the edge of the room for a moment, his tiny wings fluttering softly, letting the quiet hum of his presence fill the space. The silence was thick and unnatural. His large golden eyes scanned the room carefully, taking in every detail, every shift in Morgan's posture.

Morgan sat there, his head tilted slightly as he stared at the wall. His eyes, once sharp with wit and warmth, were distant and hollow. It sent a pang of sorrow through Cassio's tiny chest.

"Master Morgan?" Cassio's voice was gentle but hopeful, his tone higher than usual as if trying to rouse a sleeping child. He hovered closer, his wings buzzing softly.

Morgan's head turned slowly, and for a moment, his gaze was empty. But then recognition flickered like the faint glow of a lantern in a fog. His eyes brightened.

"Cassio!" Morgan's grin was wide and boyish, a spark of life igniting within him.

Cassio's heart swelled, relief washing over him like a wave. He darted forward, his tiny arms wrapping around Morgan's index finger in a hug. It was all he could manage, but it was enough. His entire body hummed with happiness, his wings fluttering rapidly as if his joy could lift him higher.

Morgan's quiet chuckle rumbled softly, a familiar melody that soothed Cassio's nerves. A single talon gently scratched the skin between his wings, causing him to purr in delight, his small frame trembling with contentment.

"Why is it that I remember you?" Morgan's voice had a softness to it, like the voice of someone searching for answers in a dream. His fingers curled around Cassio, cradling him like a delicate treasure.

Cassio's smile faltered as uncertainty gripped him. He nibbled his lip, his gaze flicking toward the doorway as if checking to see if anyone was listening. "Maybe it's because I'm special to you, Master Morgan. Or maybe... maybe I'm unforgettable," he added with a playful grin, his confidence returning for a brief moment.

Morgan's gaze lingered on him, a mixture of curiosity and amusement in his eyes. "Possibly," Morgan admitted, his smile growing faintly fond. "I know not why most of my memories were taken, but I can't help but feel something calling me, as if my purpose is to achieve a goal."

Cassio's heart tightened. He knew very little of Ursula's plans, but he had heard whispers among the faeries. He had seen glimpses of something greater than himself. The burden of knowledge was heavy, but he bore it quietly. Morgan's journey was not one Cassio could walk for him. He could only guide him from the shadows.

"There's a human boy on the island," Cassio said, his voice light but intentional. "The Onyx King rescued him just a few days ago." He watched closely as Morgan's expression shifted.

Mischief flashed in Morgan's eyes, the familiar glint that Cassio had missed so dearly. It was like seeing the sun after days of rain.

"How many times has he visited the boy?" Morgan's eyes narrowed with interest.

"Two," Cassio quipped, his legs swishing about as he hovered. He leaned forward like he was sharing a secret. "But you know how it is with threes."

"Third time's the charm," Morgan muttered, his eyes sparkling with knowing amusement. He leaned in, his gaze sharp but his tone playful. "There's a plant in the garden, amber in color. Its fruit will enhance... certain feelings. Give it to the Onyx. I'd do it myself, but I feel like I've been hit by a horde of dolphins."

Cassio's wings buzzed with glee as he nodded and flew away. The light fae darted through the halls, his glow flickering with excitement. This was more than a task—it was a chance to see something unfold. As he entered the garden, he spotted the golden plant, its fruit glowing faintly. With the help of his fellow faes they tugged it free of it's confines, immediately taking it where the kings and queens were converging.

Cassio put on a rather innocent face as he tugged the fruit towards Caspian who was in the corner deep in thought.

However dark eyes fell on them, his glare making them back away for a moment before Cassio tugged the fruit before him, "A gift for you."

Caspian said nothing but he flushed when Ren spoke.

"You should take the gift. The light faeries will cry if you don't," the Emerald Queen said with a soft chuckle.

Cassio thanked the gods in his mind as Caspian reluctantly sunk his teeth into the fruit, his jaw chewing the juicy flesh.

The faeries giggled and dashed of the room, but not before Cassio caught a wink that Ren had sent him.

****

Marcus dipped his fingers into the cool liquid, his toes visible beneath the sea water that lapped against his slender legs. His fair skin burned against the sun, the water providing the only way to cool down. Not wanting to wear down his clothes, he had left them folded neatly on a rock.

A soft sigh left his lips, feeling the smooth and cool sensation crawl over his skin as he waded deeper into the water until it reached his waist.

"First time skinny dipping," he said to himself. "Cross that off the bucket list." A chuckle burst forth from his lips, fingers letting the water slip through his fingers. A soft nudge came at his leg, a purple fish trailing its fins around his leg. Marcus giggled and pushed his fingers further into the water to touch the silky skin.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you."

An embarrassing squeak escaped his mouth as his body suddenly lost its balance in the water. Before he could fall completely, strong arms wrapped around him, hot skin pressing firmly against his back. The sudden warmth sent a jolt through his senses, and he stiffened in place. His breath hitched as he felt the undeniable presence of another body—solid, unyielding muscle against his bare back.

They were frozen, neither wanting to move from the rather precarious position.

Marcus had shared a few kisses with other boys, but never had he been this... close. Skin against skin, hearts beating in sync like the rhythm of the African drums. His breath came in short, shallow puffs as heat bloomed across his cheeks and spread to his chest.

To Marcus, Caspian was an enigma—an instrument whose strings begged to be touched. Like the fluid movements of the gentle water, Caspian's hands roamed over his lean chest, each brush of his fingertips like a note played with precision and purpose. Marcus's heart thudded against his ribcage, each beat intensifying as soft lips pressed against his exposed shoulder.

"Marcus," Caspian's deep, gravelly voice groaned into his ear, his breath hot against Marcus's skin. Large hands slid down, his fingers grazing Marcus's waist before resting firmly on his hips. Their breaths synchronized, chests rising and falling together, the only sound accompanying them being the gentle lapping of the sea around them.

Marcus's eyes fluttered closed, his senses overwhelmed by the intensity of it all. Every inch of him was on edge, every touch igniting sparks that lit him from within. He felt the undeniable pull of gravity, his body leaning into Caspian's frame as if it belonged there.

Then, sharp pain sliced through the haze of warmth and pleasure. Marcus's eyes snapped open, his body jolting with shock as a stinging burn erupted from his neck. His heart hammered wildly as realization struck him. Teeth. He felt teeth pressing into his skin, sharp and unrelenting.

"Ah! This hurts!" his mind screamed, his breath coming in quick, ragged pants. He squirmed in Caspian's grip, his hands clutching at the larger man's arms. The pain shifted, turning into something stranger, hotter—a searing ache that melted into a pulse of something dangerously close to pleasure. His body reacted on instinct, his back arching, his breath caught somewhere between a gasp and a moan.

"C-Caspian," he stammered, his voice unsteady, each breath hitched with confusion. His hands gripped tighter on Caspian's arms as he tried to make sense of the sensation. "What are you doing?"

The warmth of Caspian's chest rumbled against his back, his breath steady and measured, unlike Marcus's frantic gasps. His hands, once firm on Marcus's hips, now held him with something gentler, as if he were afraid he might break him.

"Claiming," Caspian's voice was low, like distant thunder rolling through the horizon. His lips moved slowly against Marcus's skin, and his breath left trails of warmth on the fresh wound at his neck. His voice sounded strained, as if he were holding something back. "Marking what's mine."