Page 48 of The Noble's Merman

“Yes, of course!”

Mo smiled as well, but then—he realized something. With Kent’s and Davies’s reaction, that meant… Kent never told the crew the nature of their relationship. For some reason, he assumed he had, or at least he knew the sailors were fine with them being open. But Kent truly had no idea what their thoughts were, yet went through with the plan anyway? It gave him an uncomfortable feeling, but he tried not to mind it. After all, everything was fine, regardless.

“However, I do recommend you still be discreet about it, at least at first,” said Walker. “While no one here will report you to any magistrate on land for such a thing, some lads are still wary of the concept. No one really knows who either of you are yet. Give them time, let them get to know you, and I can assure you they’ll be welcoming.” He smiled and nodded, as if to underline his words.

“So, no kissing for everyone to see, then?” asked Mo with a chuckle. He could see Kent blush even harder in his peripheral.

“No, unless the men know to expect it!” Walker laughed. “That’s all I’m saying. As quartermaster, I do ensure that every crewman is someone of open mind. We all come from different backgrounds here. But some lads are still coming to terms with that sort of preference, given the common opinion on land, you know.”

“Yes, K—Fareham told me about that,” said Mo.

“You two will be fine. I promise. This is something very important to me.” Walker smiled warmly. While he never said it outright, Mo had a hunch that perhaps Walker shared those same proclivities, too.

“And I’ll also assure you’ll be fine!” Davies pitched in. “Now here, I assume you and Fareham might want a bit of space to talk amongst yourselves. Call over any of us if you need anything, all right?”

“All right.” Kent and Mo nodded in unison.

Walker and Davies left them alone, walking off in different directions on the ship. Well, they definitely weren’t completely alone, given all the other men scattered around. But no one was paying them any mind, tending to their own duties. The hum of conversation was a white noise that would drown out anything Mo and Kent would say to each other, especially if they talked quietly enough.

“Well, we’re finally here,” said Kent, still holding his hand on Mo’s shoulder, standing next to him.

“Yes. This is nothing like viewing the ships from the water. But, it does feel strange that I can’t walk around with everyone else.” He laughed.

“That should be something we ask very soon, if anyone here knows a way for merfolk to become human.”

“Definitely.” Mo had his suspicions about the orange-haired man, Allen. But those suspicions might not have any weight to them than just that. A strange feeling, something odd. Though, either way, nevermind thinking of that, there was something more pressing that he needed to ask Kent.

“You never mentioned to the crew that… um…” How should he word this? “The way we are together?”

Kent lifted his hand from Mo’s shoulder to cover his mouth. “Oh no, I… I never did. Well, I did mean to tell them eventually. But I—I admit, I was afraid to speak up. With how, you know, people’s opinions on the subject can be, I didn’t want to make matters worse when everything seemed to be going in our favor…”

Despite being slightly bothered, Mo could never be angry at Kent for not willing to take the risk. This whole mission was already a big risk—from Mo killing Harris, trusting these crewmen with Kent’s life, and Kent leaving the safety of his home on land. There were choices they both had to weigh, and taking the opportunity they had—the one Mo had planted for them—appeared to be the best option for their desires.

“Don’t worry Kent, I understand.” Mo lifted his hand, petting the soft sleeve of Kent’s coat on his upper arm.

“You do?” He lowered his hand from his face.

“Yes, of course.” He smiled sweetly at his human. “Because—even if we were to keep the truth of our relationship more secretive around the crew, at least we could still see each other, and be together here every day on the ship. Whereas if you’d stayed on land, who knows what would’ve happened? Something happening with your father possibly, where you couldn’t come to the beach anymore, and I still unable to gain legs…”

“Yes, that there is exactly why I chose to come aboard this ship.” Kent smiled, reassuring him. “I no longer can stand being subject to my father’s influence when it’s not something I desire for myself. I wish to be with you. And if boarding this ship is the means to do it, then so be it. We’ll make it work. Hell, we already are! Look, we actually did it!”

The glee in Kent’s voice was contagious, and Mo couldn’t help the grin spread on his face, his cheeks growing warmer. “You’re right. We did it.”

“So anyway, earlier you mentioned you met a whale? Tell me more about that.”

“Ah yes, Noon!” He chuckled. “She is assisting me with following along the ship. I’m so grateful to come across her; she told me I can sleep on her back as the ship moves. As much as I’d love to attempt to sleep on board, I don’t know if it would be possible, given what I’ve said before.”

“Yes, I remember.” Kent nodded. “I remember quite well how exhausted you get exerting yourself on land.”

Mo gave him a smirk. “If only I could exert myself more. It’s been too long since a good… exercise.”

“Mo, please!” Kent laughed, holding his chest. “It’s only been since ereyesterday!”

“Still too long, in my opinion.”

“All right, I mean, you do have a point…” He laughed again, rubbing his fingers on his chin. “But anyway, as much as I would like that, we should pay mind to Walker’s advice. Take things slow, be discreet until everyone gets to know us. Which would mean… I probably shouldn’t take you to my private quarters for a little while.”

Mo sighed. “Yes, I suppose you’re right. I want everyone to trust us enough. I want to know these men as well, so the feeling is mutual.” He was reminded again of Allen’s curious stare. “You don’t know any of the men here, do you? What of that orange-haired man, Allen?”

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