No doubt Vil would be gossiping, and by tonight, everyone in the village would know Ceto didn’t return his feelings. It was just like with Therani. Everyone would look at him, eyes filled with pity. Except this time, it was so much worse. This time, he actually loved Ceto.

  “No. We’re just crewmates. Friends.”

  “Well… If you aren’t with him… I was thinking I might talk to him.” He gave a nervous smile. Levrith’s stomach clenched. “Maybe invite him out sometime, just the two of us. Do you think that would be all right?” Ratherin shoved his hands into his pockets, eyes earnest as he stared up at Levrith.

  He wanted to refuse. Tell Ratherin no. But how could he? He had no claim on Ceto.

  “You can ask.”

  “Thanks!” Ratherin’s smile grew. “That’s great. I thought I could take him prawning at night. I also thought I could cook prawns. He likes prawns, right?” He bounced on the balls of his feet.

  “He likes prawns.”

  “Wonderful! Thanks, Levrith! Well, I’ll see you later, then.” He ran back towards the others.

  Seran’s beard! Why couldn’t he have thought of some excuse? Feet dragging, he continued back in the direction of the house. Several people waved at him as he walked. He gave a half-hearted wave back.

  Maybe it would be all right. Maybe Ceto would say no. He was still in love with the captain. He wouldn’t just turn his attention to Ratherin so quickly. Sure, Ratherin was cute, with his slim body, bright smile, sparkling eyes, and curly hair that fell around his pretty face. But that didn’t mean Ceto would fall for him. Levrith’s hand tightened around the handle of the bag as he walked.

  And since when did Ratherin like men? Not that Levrith knew him well. He was quite a few years younger than himself. Early twenties, maybe? Honestly, he’d never had that much to do with him.

  Unlike in the mainland, in Lilliana, being interested in the same sex wasn’t looked down upon. In fact, the siblings, Seroth and Seran, god and goddess of the ocean, were said to be interested in both males and females. Still, it wasn’t as common on the island as it was with naiads. Or on the Naiad’s Revenge for that matter.

  And why was Ratherin interested in Ceto? Had they even spoken?

  It’s all right. Ceto hasn’t said yes. Yet.

  He pulled up short. He’d been so lost in his thoughts that he hadn’t realised he was back at their house. Looking up, he saw Ceto on the balcony on one of the chairs. His head hung back, mouth open, as he slept.

  Levrith’s chest squeezed at the sight.

  Seroth and Seran, please don’t let him say yes.

  For several moments, he just stared at Ceto.

  Recently, there’d been a couple of times Levrith could have almost sworn that Ceto had gazed at him with something other than friendship in his eyes. Like he’d even wanted to kiss him. He dropped his gaze and approached the house. Probably just wishful thinking.

  Chapter

  Thirteen

  “Unsurprisingly, Mum sent us food.” Levrith stood by the table, shoulders tense as he opened the bag and began to pull out the parcels.

  “That is a lot of food.” Ceto laughed.

  Levrith nodded, not smiling.

  What’s wrong with him? Levrith had been fine when he’d left. Maybe being away from Ceto had reminded Levrith of how much work Ceto was. Maybe he’d enjoyed getting away from him. Perhaps he hadn’t wanted to come back.

  They had been in Lilliana for over two weeks now. Ceto was doing better. He could climb down the ladder, walk, and swim on his own. But he still had a way until he was completely recovered, until he could do those things without tiring. Maybe Levrith was just sick and tired of nursing Ceto.

  “Can I help unpack?” A sense of desperation churned inside him, the need to help and lessen the burden he was on Levrith.

  “Nah. It’s easy enough.”

  Ceto’s throat tightened. Worthless and weak. No use to Levrith. No use to anyone. That was why Silas had sent him away. How long until Levrith decided he’d had enough of Ceto too? Until he left him. Just like his parents had. His stomach churned. He placed a hand on his stomach. He felt like he was going to vomit.

  “You don’t have to look after me so much,” Ceto blurted, his voice loud in the small room.

  Levrith paused, looking up and frowning.

  “You can go and do whatever you want. You don’t have to spend so much time fussing over me and checking on me all the time.” Perhaps if Levrith could have a break from him, he wouldn’t get sick of him and leave.

  Levrith’s frown deepened.

  “I mean, I’m sure there’s stuff you want to do.” The words ran one into the other as he rushed them out. “And there are probably people you want to spend time with. Your family is here. You could spend time with your nieces and nephews. I know you wanted to come here and visit them and spend time with them. I ruined it all by getting sick.” He gave a weak laugh. “But you don’t have to always be here with me. I’ll be all right on my own for a bit.”

  “You don’t want me here?”

  “What? No! I like having you here. Honestly, I hate when you aren’t around. But… I hate being a burden to you. I’m sure you didn’t think it would be like this when you volunteered to look after me. I hate that you’re stuck caring for me.” He stared at the bamboo floor. “I don’t want you to get sick of me.”

  Levrith stepped towards him, his large bare feet facing his. Still, Ceto kept staring at the floor.

  Firm hands clasped his shoulders. “Ceto, look at me.”

  Reluctantly, Ceto looked up, meeting Levrith’s warm brown eyes.

  “I don’t feel stuck,” he said, voice intense. “You’d never be a burden to me. You’re my best friend, and there is nowhere else I’d rather be than right here with you. I will feel that way no matter how long it takes for you to get better. And even if you never get better, I’ll never get sick of you. Promise.”

  Ceto’s body felt numb. He grasped one of the hands on his shoulder with his own. “Thanks,” Ceto said, throat tight.

  Levrith’s lips pulled into a smile. Ceto had never wanted to kiss someone as much as he did at that moment.

  “Now, how about we go to the river?” Levrith asked. “Go for a swim. Relax a bit.”

  Ceto blinked. “Oh. All right.”

  Levrith stepped back. A second longer and Ceto would have kissed Levrith. He no longer could see any reason he shouldn’t. But was that what Levrith wanted? Maybe that was why he had suggested going to the river, because he had realised Ceto was about to kiss him.

  Mind a mess, Ceto made his way down to the river with Levrith. Side by side, they stood on the smooth pebbles and stones. The smells of fresh flowing water and grass filled his nostrils.

  Ceto felt hyper-aware of Levrith stripping down beside him, pulling off his shirt, and taking off his breeches, revealing swathes of brown skin. Levrith kept his drawers on as he waded out into the river. The cotton fabric had worn, allowing Ceto to see the shape of his meaty arse and thick thighs. He wanted to lick them. Bite them. Ceto removed his shirt and reached for the waistband of his own breeches. He froze, realising he had a slight issue. His cock was not entirely relaxed.

  Thankfully Levrith was facing the other way. If he could push his breeches down and get into the water quickly, Levrith wouldn’t notice.

  “What’s that sound?” Levrith asked.

  Ceto paused. The gurgle of the river was the only sound he could hear. Then he heard it. A high-pitched, squeaky noise in the distance.

  Levrith strode out of the water, into the trees beyond. The wet material of his drawers clung deliciously to his skin. Droplets of water slid down his hairy legs. Ceto wanted to lick the drops of water with his tongue.

  Ceto shook his head, quickly following. Not bothering to remove his breeches, Ceto waded through the water to the other side. He spotted Levrith’s tall form easily as he walked through the trees. The squeaking got louder.

  “Oh no,” Levrith said, kneeling in the dirt.

  “What? What is it?” he asked, coming up behind.

  Levrith leaned over a strange small creature on the ground. Dirt clung to black, leathery wings. The creature’s face, almost dog-like, was covered in orange-and-brown fur. Distant black eyes stared at nothing.

  “What is that?” Ceto repeated.

  “It’s a fruit bat.” His voice was soft. “It’s dead.”

  A screech filled the air. But the bat’s mouth hadn’t moved. The body seemed to convulse, and Ceto took a step back. Dead things shouldn’t convulse! Levrith, unalarmed, reached out a hand and lifted a wing, revealing a small bat clinging to the dead bat’s torso.

  “Oh no. It had a baby,” Levrith said.

  The poor little thing screeched, head swivelling as it stared straight at Ceto.

  “What do we do?” Ceto asked. “We can’t leave it. It needs to be looked after.”

  Levrith nodded. “We’ll get it back to the house. Then I’ll go speak to my grandma. She often rescues injured animals.”

  With his large hands, Levrith gently extricated the baby from its mother’s body. It squeaked and protested, clinging to its mother.

  “It’s all right, little one,” Levrith murmured as it clutched onto one of his large fingers. Gently, Levrith cupped a hand around it as he stood and walked back towards the river. Little squeaks and squawks escaped through the gap in Levrith’s hands.

  When they got to the house, Ceto went up the ladder first, carrying their clothing awkwardly.

  “I’ll pass him up to you,” Levrith said.

  “Me? I don’t know how to hold a baby.”

  “You’ll be fine.” Levrith held his cupped hands up through the gap in the balcony floor.

  The bat made little whistling noises. Ceto threw their clothing on the balcony deck and reached down. Levrith placed the bat into his hand. It wiggled around, squirming. He cupped his hands together, making sure not to crush it whilst also trying to stop it from falling out.

  “I’m going to run to my grandma’s,” Levrith said. “She’ll know what to do.”

  “You’re going to leave me with it?” he asked. Panic rose sharply in his chest.

  But Levrith was already running off.

  What do I do now? How could Levrith leave me with this baby?

  The bat kept wriggling and squirming in his hand. He leaned down and looked through the gap between his finger and thumb. It moved its wings. Perhaps trying to flap them.

  Is it uncomfortable? What should I do if it is?

  He walked back and forth between the rooms, no idea what to do. Striding to the window, he stared in the direction Levrith had run, as if he could make Levrith come back faster by willing him back.

  The bat screeched.

  “It’s all right,” he said. “Everything is all right. Levrith will be back soon.”

  He didn’t know who he was trying to convince. The bat chirped. Ceto went to his bed and sat down. He started humming, like he’d seen one of Levrith’s brothers doing with a baby. Maybe that would soothe the bat.

  Where is Levrith?

  He pulled his thumb away so he could see the baby bat better.

  “Levrith has gone to get help.” Dark eyes peered up at him.

  He hoped the bat would be all right, but what if it was injured or sick? A wave of sorrow overcame Ceto. And now that the poor creature had lost its mother, it was completely alone in the world. “I’m so sorry,” he whispered. The bat’s head tilted. “I know how you feel. I lost my mother too, but see, I’m all right.” He gave a weak smile.

  The bat tilted its head and made a whistling noise.

  “I don’t even remember my mother. Or my father. I don’t know if they died or were captured. Maybe they left me,” he whispered. “But I promise, you won’t be alone like I was.” The strange little creature stared up at him, almost as if he understood Ceto’s promise. “We’ll take care of you. Me and Levrith.”

  “Ceto?”

  Ceto looked up. Levrith stood in the doorway, watching him. Ceto hadn’t heard him climb the ladder.

  How much did he hear?

  “My grandma’s here. Want to bring the bat down so she can check it?”

  “Of course.”

  Levrith stared at him for a second longer. Then went back down the ladder.

  “Hmmm,” Levrith’s grandmother said as she peered at the bat crawling up her arm. With its tiny, clawed feet, it clung to her sleeve, hanging upside down. She laughed. “She looks healthy enough. Not sick or injured, although too young to fly. She shouldn’t be on her own.” She pursed her lips. “She’ll need to be looked after for a while. Then she could be released.”

  “But she’ll be all right?” Ceto asked.

  “She has a good chance. I can look after her if you want. I have a cage I can put her in.”

  “No,” Ceto blurted. “We can look after her!” He glanced at Levrith, who seemed to be watching him more than the bat. “Can’t we?”

  “Aye. We can look after her.” He looked to his grandma. “What does she need?”

  “Luckily, she looks old enough to eat fruit. Mango, pineapple, pawpaw, any fruit should be fine. Can you build a cage?”

  Levrith nodded.

  “Bamboo would work, but she needs to have things to practice climbing and hanging off. You’ll want to make the cage big enough so that she can practice flying when she’s ready.”

  “I can do that,” Levrith said, scratching at his beard.

  “Good. I’ll send Severa over. She’s my neighbour.” She said the last part to Ceto. “She’ll bring you a crate to put it in until you’ve built the cage.” He handed the bat back to Ceto.

  “Thanks, Grandma.”

  “Thanks,” Ceto said. “We’ll take such good care of her. Promise.”

  “I’m sure you will.”

  Back in the house, Ceto sat on the bed. The bat crawled around in front of him.

  “We have some mango.” Levrith cut into the golden fruit with a small knife, extracting a slice. He sat down opposite Ceto, the bat between them. He held out the small chunk of mango to the bat. The bat leaned forward, her little furred nose twitching as she smelled the yellow fruit. Then her pink tongue darted out and started licking at it.

  “She’s eating!” Ceto whispered. He smiled excitedly at Levrith, who was watching him again, smiling, his gaze soft and warm. The look made Ceto feel giddy and tingly.

  Ceto looked back down at the bat. “She seems to be licking more than eating, but that’s probably all right.”

  “Probably,” Levrith said. “She seems to be enjoying it.”

  The bat tilted her head as she continued to lick the mango.

  “She’s cute,” Ceto said.

  “Aye.” Levrith cleared his throat, causing Ceto to look at him. “I… I kind of overheard what you said before, when you were talking to the bat.” Levrith scratched at his ear. “I know you were alone growing up, but you aren’t alone now. And as far as I’m concerned, you won’t be again.” Levrith reached out and gripped Ceto’s neck, squeezing gently.

  Ceto’s throat was too tight for him to speak. He gave a single nod.

  Ceto leaned forward. He needed to kiss Levrith. Levrith’s gaze dropped to his lips.

  He wants me to kiss him too.

  “Levrith?” a voice called from below.

  Levrith’s head whipped around, and his hand slid away from Ceto’s neck.

  Flying fish fucks!

  Chapter

  Fourteen

  “Levrith?” a woman’s voice called.

  “We’re up here,” Levrith called back.

  Annoyed and disappointed at being interrupted, Ceto picked up the bat in front of him, who still licked enthusiastically at the mango.

  “It’s Sev. I have the crate from your grandma.”

  Levrith rushed to the entry in the floor and reached down. He lifted a small wooden crate through. “Come on up, Sev.”

  “Thanks.”

  Ceto grimaced. He didn’t want Sev coming up. He’d been so close to kissing Levrith.

  She climbed up onto the balcony. She spotted Ceto on the bed and smiled, walking towards him. “You must be Ceto. I’m Severa. I’ve heard so much about you. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you.” She was young and pretty, with dark hair and large dark eyes that sparkled when she smiled, especially when she turned her smile on Levrith.

  “Levrith! It’s so good to see you again!” She stepped forward and hugged Levrith, who had to move the crate to one arm. He wrapped his other one around her slender shoulders. Levrith still only wore his drawers, which were still damp and thus quite revealing. But that didn’t seem to bother her at all.

  Finally, Severa let go. Her eyes travelled up and down Levrith’s body. “Look at you. You’ve gotten so strong.” She reached out and touched his arm, squeezing.

  Ceto gritted his teeth.

  Levrith laughed, a flush blooming on his cheeks. “Being a sailor is hard work.” He stepped back, and Ceto let out a breath as her hand fell from his arm. Levrith walked over and placed the crate on the floor next to Ceto. Then he opened a drawer, grabbed some breeches, and pulled them on over his drawers.

  “I’ll bet it is.” She stepped closer to Levrith. “And it must be exciting too, being a pirate?”

  “Do I just put the bat in the crate?” Ceto asked loudly.

  Severa turned to him, eyes wide. “Oh, yes. Grandma put some blankets in there.” Finished answering, she turned her attention back to Levrith. “So is it exciting being a pirate?” She clasped her hands together, practically batting her eyelashes at Levrith.

  “Well… I guess…” Levrith chuckled. He rubbed his hand at the back of his neck.

  Ceto’s jaw ached from clenching. It was like he wasn’t even there. Like he had disappeared. He placed the bat gently into the crate, onto the blankets, whilst the two prattled on. Severa smiled and played with her hair. Levrith blushed and stammered his responses.

  “Well, thanks for helping, Severa. I’m sure we’ll see you another time,” Ceto burst out.

  “Oh.” She looked back and forth between Ceto and Levrith. “Of course.” She smiled. “I’ll see you later.” Her gaze lingered on Levrith.