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The familiar sound of the self-opening doors of the facility rang out once more, for about the 50th time this trip now. Monsters within this petrifying place never fail to make you paranoid, always feeling the gaze of many eyes on you, some of them trying to force you to look back even. The stench of old aquarium water stuck to the painted walls didn’t help you either. Perhaps it was your persistence that kept you going.
Once you noticed the standing light pointed towards a large vent low to the ground, it was as if the callings of an angel rang out. A familiar velvety, yet rough voice ushering you to come closer, like a little flame from a dying campfire in which you sought warmth from.
“Psst! Over here..”
Hearing those words echo out was enough for you to let out a heavy sigh of relief. You crawled through the dusty gray vent which was only illuminated by the faint, yellow light in the other room. Once you came out through the other side, you were greeted by Sebastian — your only friend. You wouldn’t admit it in front of him, but just the sight of those murky blue scales put you at ease, as if you were to be shielded from the vileness of the world around you.
“Oh, look who’s back~!” The giant aquamarine man boasts, his voice almost teasing as he flashed a sharp, toothy grin. The lure which sprouts from his head seems to ever so slightly glow brighter than before.
“Sebastian, it’s good to see you.” You speak up, feigning a weak smile from your lips as you get up and look up at him, having to crane your neck a little to even make eye contact with him. Your fatigue is creating a mind fog, and it makes your eyelids feel heavy.
“You look like you had fun out there, I see.” He retorts with sarcasm, his three eyes sweeping over you, sensing that you were having a rough time on your one way trip in Hadal Blacksite so far.
“Thankfully for you though, I have a medkit you could pay for, as per usual. Buuut.. I can cut ya a deal.” Sebastian lowers himself to be closer to your height, his large, clawed hands on the tiled floor to support himself. He’s clearly smirking at you now, like he has some ideas brewing in this sly mind of his. It causes you to raise a brow in curiosity yet suspicion, even letting out a short scoff.
“What’s the deal? This isn’t like you at all, cutting deals for customers.” You note, as you begin questioning just exactly what he wants from you. Sebastian never did this, but his smirk makes you think he has some intent of mischief behind it.
“Well, I’m asking because truth be told, you’re my favorite customer. Don’t go around telling other prisoners that though.” He pauses, as if listening out for anything, clearly making sure no one’s listening in on the two of you.
“Anyways, you seem tired, and I’m confident that you really like me. You can cuddle up on me or whatever, and from that you get the medkit for free, or all items 50% off. ONLY this once I’ll let you touch me,” Sebastian pauses before he averts his gaze with a slight pout. “..Unless I decide otherwise.”
You were honestly surprised with him willing to let you touch him, let alone in a rather affectionate manner. You thought that he wouldn’t offer some secretive cuddling unless a part of him seemed some kind of physical affection. It was a pleasant surprise though — and you’re gonna take that chance.
You look away for only a moment before your eyes meet him again. “I would do it even if there was no discount..” You note rather bashfully before gently wrapping your arms around his large torso, with your head resting on his chest.
In that moment of his scales body soaking up your body heat, it was like you both knew you’ve found your shared sanctuary of mutualism. There came an ache in his heart — oh how much he missed being treated like he wasn’t a monster once more. He forgot how kind humans could be, even if he’s now not completely human. It was like revisiting the park on the old mountain after being left alone for so long, revisiting those cherished feelings, thinking about how so much has changed from last time you were there.
He then used his blue-gray clawed hands to hoist you up comfortably, before lifting you high up and setting you down to a hidden section cut out from the top of the room. There is a mattress with a couple old blankets, the faint scent of musk and sea water can be traced to this spot. He then pushed himself up there with you, slithering onto the mattress to lay down and get comfortable with the end of his tail hanging off the ledge, all while making sure to not accidentally hurt you.
Now, he was curled up with you against his chest, his smaller 3rd arm patting your head. He felt you nuzzle into his chest, and although he wasn’t used to this kind of touch, he couldn’t help but to murmur something.
“Well, aren’t you just sweet..” Sebastian teases slightly, smiling to himself despite his best effort to show just how much this is all affecting him. By god, did he love it though.
You decide to be bold, which is most likely from how much you were craving his touch and closeness in this moment. With that, he pulls your head away to place a soft peck on his cheek. It felt cool and smooth against your soft and warm lips.
“What- What was that for?” The fishman asks, although not sounding as annoyed as he usually would.
“Just my way of expressing my attitude for giving me such an offer. Thanks, really..”
“Agh.. guess I can’t be too mad at you, can I?” His lure then began to flick before it no longer glowed completely, leaving the lights of his shop below alight to leave you in the dim sleeping area. He lowered his head to give you a kiss back, except on your lips, and it was a passionate yet gentle French kiss. A low, husked groan came from him and into the kiss, his large forked and blue tongue easily dominating your oral crevice, small whines leaving your mouth also. The faint taste of cigarettes is detectable in his mouth of sharp teeth, which threatens to cut your small, sensitive tongue. He seems to find every way to one-up you, even when it comes to affection. God, is he one stubborn guy.
Before you both could get too carried away though, he pulls away, allowing you both some air from the intimate moment. It seems as though he only kissed you just to tease you and leave you hungry for more.
“Let’s save that for another time though, yeah?” Sebastian suggests, looking down at you with a slight smirk, yet adorning a soft gaze. You nod eagerly with a sheepish smile in response, and it was clear to both of you that you had mutual, unspoken interest in one another.
He moves from laying on his side to laying on his back, patting his chest with his extra arm, gesturing to you to rest on him that way. Of course, you eagerly crawl to him before plopping yourself onto him, your legs straddling his waist and your arms around his neck. You rest your cheek on his chest as a soft, content sigh leaves you.
“Mmm, good pet.. sleep now.” Those were the last words he speaks and the last words you hear, as soon enough unconsciousness sweeps both of you away into its sweet embrace of peace and comfort. The campfire glows and warms your soul once more.