by E. M. Leya
"I think I'll leave that to you." He turned to look at Sage. "Thank you for doing this. It will make it much easier for us to have a place with electricity." He didn't want to think about the lives he could have saved if he'd only had modern equipment.
"I'm glad to do it. It's about time we move stuff inland. The caves still have their use, but in this day and age, we are crazy to continue to live by the old ways." Sage pulled out his cell phone. "You want me to swim back with you?"
"No. I'm okay. Going to take my time and enjoy it. Let me know if you need anything, and I mean it, thank you for this."
"It will help us all. I'm sure I'll talk to you soon. Heath wants to start ordering equipment and furniture as soon as he can. Talk to Randy, see if you can get him over here to help you set up. You're both welcome to stay at my place if you want to spend the nights."
"I will. I'll talk to you soon." He waved as he left the building.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Randy glanced over at Heath as he sat at his desk. His brother seemed lost in reading a report of some kind. He wanted to ask him a question, but didn't want to interrupt his reading, or maybe he was just too damn scared to bring up the topic he wanted to talk about. With a heavy sigh, he turned back to his own work in front of him.
"You're going to chew the end of that pencil off," Heath said a few moments later. "You got something on your mind?"
Randy turned to look at him as he tossed the pencil he'd been chewing on aside. "I'm thinking about quitting training."
Heath didn't look surprised. He leaned back in his wooden chair, lacing his fingers behind his head. "You afraid of another attack?"
"No, I thought I might be, but after going back out with Tevon, I don't think it will be an issue. I'm just not sure I'm healed enough, not sure I ever will be. Maybe it's time to move on and let the other guys train. They've handled it well since I've been gone."
"Make you mad they handled it so well?"
"It did at first, but I'm glad they stepped up. Shows I trained them right. I'm just thinking…" Randy turned back to his desk, still confused and frustrated.
"You know, there might be a way to work this out. How serious is this with Tevon?" Heath stood and came to sit on the corner of Randy's desk.
Unsure of how much of his feelings he wanted to admit to his brother, he shrugged. "It's still new, but I like him."
"Enough that if he decided to move inland, you might go with him?"
Randy looked up, meeting his brothers stare. "What are you getting at, Heath?"
"Well, I just bought an apartment complex that sits by Gary's old place. You know the one where he and Sage lived before they bought the house. I need someone to live there and watch over the place, keep the boys in line. As much as I want them hooking up with females and building our numbers with lots of babies, I don't want them doing it recklessly. The place is going to have rules. I need someone I trust to keep the boys out of trouble, keep the girls out of their rooms."
"And you think I'm that guy?" Randy rubbed his hand over his chin, thinking about the option.
"I was going to ask Everest, but we both know he isn't good with the kids. He doesn't have the patience. I trust you, we already know you're great with the boys. They all look up to you. You know better than anyone does the stunts they try to pull and get away with. You're perfect for this job." Heath folded his hands on his lap.
"I would have to live inland." Randy sighed. He'd never lived inland. He loved the caves and the water. He was home here, surrounded by the caves he'd grown up in.
Heath nodded. "But if Tevon chooses to live inland at the new clinic, is that such a bad thing? You would be close to him. Hell, he could live with you there."
The thought of living away from Tevon didn't sit well with him. He frowned as he realized how he'd grown used to having Tevon as part of his daily life. "I guess I could talk to Tevon. I'm not sure it's really that serious yet, not sure he wants anything long-term."
Heath laughed. "You two looked like love-struck school girls when Sage and I caught you in the hallway. I think there is more going on there than you're willing to admit."
Randy started to deny it, but quickly bit his lip. He wasn't going to lie. There was more going on, at least on his side. He glanced up at Heath and shook his head. "It's not fair for me to be with anyone if this issue I have isn't fixed."
"You think this human doctor can help?"
"I don't know. Last thing I want is some human doctor running tests on me, but if he can help, I have to try. I can't live this way, Heath."
"Yeah, I don't blame you. You're taking it better than I probably would. You sure you've tried everything?
Randy laughed. "Yeah, if what Tev and I have done hasn't got me going, nothing is going to. I feel aroused, just like normal, I just don't get hard. I enjoy it, but there's no fireworks at the end."
"Fireworks are the best part." Heath stood and went back to his desk and sat down.
"You know, I thought so, too, until this happened. It's different, but it's not bad. I still enjoy everything we do, maybe more than I used to. I find myself focusing on Tevon more, watching for his pleasure. It's not all about me anymore. It's almost more exciting seeing him get off."
Heath grinned. "Did you ever think that maybe that's not because your cock is broken, but because you care about Tevon more than you have others you've been with."
Randy stared at Heath for a long moment, thinking over what he said. Was that it? Was it really that simple? Could it be Tevon, and not his injury that was the difference? He pulled his long hair back in a ponytail, then released it.
Heath only laughed. "You're fucked, Bro. You're going to follow in Sage's footsteps and settle down. Here I always thought you would be the last of us to take the plunge."
Randy flipped him off, but his heart wasn't behind the one-finger wave. Heath was right, he was falling in love, but that only brought on a whole new set of issues, ones he wasn't ready to face yet. "I don't know what is going on with Tev and me, but I do know it's too soon to think long term. I'm sure he has enough to deal with right now. The new clinic is going to stress him out until we get help. He feels like he has to be available every minute. I don't know how we didn't see it before, Heath, but he's been stuck in the medical chamber for years."
"I know." Heath frowned. "It's made me take a second look at everything, and everybody. We can do so much more. There's no reason for us to be living in the dark ages the way we are. Father refused to move forward and let go of the old ways, but it's time for change. Lots of change. We start with the apartments, and the clinic, and go from there. I'm not looking back." Heath sighed. "I actually see us leaving the caves in time. We'll keep them for emergencies, and of course those who want to stay can, but I'm sure I'm not the only one who wants a real mattress under me at night."
Randy was impressed. He had no idea Heath was planning on so many changes. "I guess it was only a matter of time. You're doing the right thing. It will make life easier, but at the same time, the risk of humans finding out about us increases."
"That's why I want you with the boys. If anyone can push how important it is to be careful, it's you. You know how to get through to the new members, help them understand everything that is at risk. I need someone who won't put up with their shit." Heath tossed a file to Randy. "Here's the plans for the complex. It will have everything, gym, enclosed salt-water pool, recreation center. There are over two hundred units. I just need someone to run the place."
Randy opened the folder and looked through the papers. It was a big decision, but one he needed to make soon. If he wasn't going to keep training in the water, he needed to let the others know. He met Heath's stare with his own troubled one. "Give me a couple days to think about everything?"
"Sure. Think it over, talk to Tevon. I'm sure whatever you decide will affect you both. Just let me know. I completely understand if you don't do this, but I thought I would offer."
"Thanks, Heath." Rand
y glanced back at the folder, more confused than he had been before. Since the accident, everything seemed to have changed. He didn't even feel like the same person he used to be. Thinking about going back into training didn't hold the same excitement it used to, but he wasn't sure what he wanted to do now. Maybe Heath's offer was his best bet.
A knock on the rock had Randy turning. He grinned and stood as he saw Tevon standing in the entrance. Forgetting his cane, he made his way to him. "Hey, how did it go?" He kissed him softly.
"The first place was perfect. The one just off the beach with the apartment above it. Sage did a wonderful job finding just what we needed. I told him to go ahead if everything was okay on your side." Tevon glanced at Heath as he wrapped an arm around Randy's waist.
"If it works for you, then it works for us. You will have enough room?" Heath stood, going around the front of his desk and leaning against it.
"Yes, more than enough. I can have a surgical area, plus simple exam rooms. I would like to add a salt-water pool inside somehow if we could. The ocean is close, but as we saw with Randy's injuries, sometimes the patient isn't able to make it to the water." Tevon ran his hand over Randy's injured hip. "I'm not sure if this is possible, even a hot tub would work."
"I'm sure we can figure out something. Sage mentioned the guy who owned it was in construction, perhaps we can pay him to put a small pool in one of the rooms. I did get word back from one of the other clans, they have several doctors and one is looking to move, he would like to come here and work with us. He is from the Israel clan. He will be arriving in a week." Heath reached for another file on his desk. "I thought you might want to see his education."
"That was fast." Randy reached for the file and handed it to Tevon.
"From what I hear, Israel has many who are going to college, learning human skills. More reason for the changes we discussed. Our future isn't going to be in the water as much as it is on land."
Tevon frowned. "What do you mean?"
"I'll let Randy fill you in. I'm sure there will be a lot you both want to discuss. What I need to know from you, Tevon, before the new doctor arrives, is if you wish to stay here in the caves or move to the clinic inland. I'll let you make the decision and have first choice. You will both work here until we get the clinic built."
"Are you going to announce all this to the clan?" Randy asked.
"I will call a meeting once I have your answer. I would like to have as much planned out as we can before we bring it to the others." Heath returned to his chair and sat down. "If either of you have questions, you know where to find me."
"Thank you, Heath." Tevon bowed before turning to Randy. "Seems I missed quite a bit."
Randy reached for his cane and led him from the room with a wave at Heath. Overwhelmed with the weight of the changes that were coming, he wasn't sure where to begin. They made their way toward Randy's chamber. "Heath talked about so much. I don't know what to think."
"About you?"
"Me, us, the clan. Everything is changing." Randy leaned his cane against the wall and sat down on his bed, then patted the space beside him. "I told him I wasn't sure I wanted to go back to training."
"And?" Tevon sat down and rested his head against Randy's shoulder.
"He seemed okay with it. Remember me telling you he was thinking about buying apartments inland? Well, he did. He thinks a lot of the new clan members will choose to live inland instead of in the caves. He offered me a job running the place, keeping the boys in line."
"Is that what you want?"
"I don't know. The more I think about training in the water, the more I don't want to, but I'm not sure I want to live inland and keep track of a bunch of eighteen year old boys. I mean, other mermen would live there, too, but it would be up to me to keep track of the new ones." Randy sighed and moved to lie down on his bed, to take the weight off his hip. He pulled Tevon down beside him and wrapped his arms around him. "I don't know what else I'd do though. I don't want to work for Sage."
"Looks like we both have some choices to make." Tevon closed his eyes. "The thought of a clinic with electricity and modern equipment is a dream for me, but leaving the caves and living inland scares me. I did it through college because I had to, but now, it's a big change."
"For me, too. I've stayed inland for a few nights, but never lived there. I've always been here in the caves." He ran his hand down Tevon's back. "Our choices could affect us, too. Not that we would be that far apart if one goes and the other stays, but I like having you close."
Tevon looked at him, surprise in his eyes. "You're weighing us into your decision?"
"Of course. When I said I wanted something permanent, I meant that. Living apart doesn't mean it has to end between us, but it will make it so we don't see each other as often." Randy braced his head on his hand as he looked down at Tevon. "I like having you near."
"So whatever we decide, we do it together?"
"It's what I'd like."
Tevon nodded.
"If you don't want this, if I'm reading us wrong and we shouldn't base anything on us, then tell me." Randy suddenly worried his emotions for Tevon were stronger than what was returned. Once again, he wondered if it was because of his damn cock.
Tevon sat up, but didn't move away. He looked back at Randy and sighed. "I never thought I would meet someone who I wanted to be with. I've never dated. It wasn't important in my life. I'm a doctor, that was all that mattered. Doing my job, and doing it well. You make me face things I never thought I'd have to face, and I find myself in a place I don't quite know how to handle." Tevon pinched the bridge of his nose as if fighting off a headache.
Randy's chest tightened as he watched Tevon. "You don't want this?"
A heavy sigh caused Tevon's shoulders to sag. "I do, but I also want to be the best doctor I can. I'm not sure I can do both."
"Why? I would never keep you from work."
"I know that. I just worry I will be needed when I am with you. If we live apart, I might be with you when I am needed here."
Randy reached up and pulled Tevon back. He pushed him gently to the bed, and crawled over him, straddling him with his legs. His hands pressed to his chest as he looked down at him. "Has anyone told you that you worry too much?"
Tevon shifted below him, smiling. "Perhaps a time or two."
"Well, it's time to stop. You have to have a life, Tev. You can't be all work. You've wasted enough time stuck in the medical chamber. It's time to live a little." Randy dropped his hands to the hem of Tevon's robe and started to lift it up.
"I assume you're going to show me how to do that?" Tevon lifted his arms as Randy lifted the robe from his body.
"I'm damn well going to try." He tossed the robe aside and returned his hands to Tevon's now bare chest. "I've never been one to do relationships. I'd go inland and get what I needed from time to time, but I never committed. You're the first I have ever wanted more with." His fingers slid down Tevon's stomach toward his thickening cock. "If I have to stay here in the caves to be with you, I will, but I have to know that is what you want. If you don't want this…" He wrapped his fingers around Tevon's length. "I will understand."
Tevon breath caught and he groaned softly as Randy started to stroke him. "I want this." He licked his lips as he glanced down his body, watching the way Randy worked him. "You are teaching me to let go, relax. Never before would I have left to swim the way we did the other day, or take time to go inland with Sage. I would have sent Melan to do it. You're showing me there is more to life than work." He closed his eyes and smiled as Randy bent and licked the head of his cock.
"Good. Once the other doctor arrives, you can relax even more." Randy lifted his robe from his body and lowered himself so he was lying between Tevon's legs. He licked over his balls as his fist continued to work up and down his now weeping cock. He lifted the balls with his free hand and pressed his mouth to Tevon's hole.
"Randy…" Tevon reached down, tangling his fingers in Randy's hair.
Once he had him nice and wet, Randy pulled back, moving his fingers over his hole and pushing one deep inside him. Tevon tensed for a moment, then relaxed, pushing his body down against Randy's fingers. The way his ass spread caused Randy's pulse to race. He licked his lips, tasting Tevon on them as he slid another finger into him.
"More." Tevon braced his feet on the bed, lifted his ass off the bed, and started to fuck his fingers.
"You sure?"
"God, yes." Tevon covered Randy's hand around his cock and tightened the grip.
Randy was willing to give Tevon anything he wanted. Carefully, he pushed a third finger into him and started to twist and thrust them with more force than he would usually use with a lover. He found it fascinating as he watched Tevon work his body harder, that he enjoyed things so rough. If only he could give Tevon hard, rough sex the way he wanted to. The thought of slamming his cock deep inside him caused his own breathing to come in hard gasps. Anger washed through him at the denial of being able to give his partner all of him. The thought that this was all the two of them could share, left him empty and feeling like half a man.
"I'm going to come." Tevon's body shook.
"Not yet. I want you in my mouth." Randy knelt up and covered the head of Tevon's cock with his lips as he released his grip on his cock, allowing Tevon to work himself off. His fingers still worked in and out of Tevon's ass, taking him hard and forcefully.
As Tevon's orgasm erupted through his body, hot cum shot against Randy's tongue and he swallowed, trying to capture the sweet release. Tevon's ass tightened around his fingers, forcing him to slow their movements and just hold them inside him.
His own body craved attention, but he was unsure exactly what kind of attention that was. His cock still lay flaccid against his leg, as if it didn't notice the spent man lying beside him. Randy slid his mouth off Tevon and glanced up at him with a smile as he licked his lips. "You taste so good."