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When one thought of merfolk, the first thing that came to mind was of their beautiful vocal abilities, of how they would use it to sing songs and attract prey. The second thing was how, in spite of that, they were more ferocious, and certainly more dangerous than classic tales and first impressions would tell.
But the last thing that one might think about, is how some became quite… soft, when given attention. Something Kouign Amann soon found out when she, with permission of course, was allowed to scratch an itch Capsaicin had at the back of his neck.
At first he tensed, still getting used to the touch of someone who wasn’t one of his kind. But soon after, his body relaxed, the usually pointy fins lowering and bright eyes closing softly. Kouign stared, a bit puzzled at first, before moving her hand faster. The mer only leaned himself against the touch, humming something while a soft smile of what she could only describe as delight appeared on his face.
“Are you… enjoying this?” she couldn’t help but ask, removing her hand. Her friend blinked, giving her a glimpse of very diluted irises, before turning to her.
“Huh. I was?” he answered, seemingly just as surprised -and judging by his rising blush and brightness of his scales, embarrassed - about this as well. When he didn’t receive an answer, his ear fins lowered. “Did I make you-“
“No no it’s alright,” Kouign was quick to reassure.” It’s just, I didn’t expect you to like it, that’s all.”
“Oh.”
Both stared silently, and Kouign could have sworn her own cheeks were beginning to heat up. Eventually. she dared to ask. “Would you like it if I continue?
Her friend lowered his head, not meeting her eyes as he thought it over. After a minute or so though, he gave a sheepish nod.
Kouign hesitantly shifted closer and reached a hand, looking at him for any signs of discomfort. When she didn’t, for some reason her first instinct was to start scratching the underside of his chin.
His reaction was immediate;Normally slit-shaped eyes turned to round circles in the brief moment they opened to look at her, and that easy smile soon returned.
The paladin was curious if this was normal for him, if this was something individuals of his kind sometimes did to each other. But she decided to leave those questions for later so as to not interrupt his bliss. Soon she noticed how his tail gently moved side to side in the water, and how his hair and fins started to glow, a clear indication of his internal heat rising.
But instead of being uncomfortable and painful, it felt warm and gentle in her palm. And maybe it was because of this, or something else, that she lifted her other hand to caress one of his cheeks. Just like before he tilted his head to press against her hand, bringing one of his own to keep her arm in place. And that too, was followed by a low noise coming from him. At first the paladin assumed he was simply humming again, but after a second she realized that no, it was more akin to purring.
She chuckled a bit, and the smile on her face grew. She shifted her other hand, focusing on scratching other places like his head under his fluffy hair or just under one of his horns. The purring got louder as Capsaicin let himself relax and enjoy her touch,which soon culminated in him turning to lay on his back by her side, tail twitching happily.
Kouign let him indulge more for a moment or two before eventually retrieving her hands, earning a flushed look from her companion.
They were not the only ones present, though.
The sound of splashing water made Kouign look up from her friend to find someone staring at them from the water, a drippy hat partially obscuring his face. While such a presence would have usually put her in alert, she did not feel alarmed; there was no need, after all.
“What …are you two doing?” Prune Juice asked, a puzzled expression on what could be seen of his face.
Kouign and Capsaicin looked at one another before simply shrugging.
“… Do you want to join us?”
Their friend’s eyes widened for a second, but soon they closed again.
“Nah, I rather not ruin your moment. Besides, I’ve got some potions I need to finish.”
It was a pretty reasonable excuse for leaving, one that had truth regardless of situation. Still, the brief hesitation didn’t go unnoticed.
“Is it an urgent matter?” Capsaicin asked.
“Not necessarily, but-“
“It’s alright to take a break if you want to,” Kouign continued
“I- Seriously guys, I don’t think this would be a -“
“Please?”
Cyan eyes stared at the pair of sincere concerned and pleading gazes, until finally he relented with a sigh.
“Alright, if you insist,” he grumbled. “But this is only for a brief moment, understood?”
Kouign and Capsaicin nodded.
Their friend looked around before dragging himself towards them. He stopped just short to where the water hit the shore, but it was enough for the paladin to approach.
“Now, what exactly were you doing to Mr. Spicy over here?” The mer asked, doing his best to hide his own tension when Kouign reached her hands to him.
She just smiled and considered her options. Should she repeat the attention she gave Capsaicin? Or do something different, so as to not accidentally hurt her more sensitive friend?
Ultimately, she decided to caress the spot under one of his fins first. His reaction was… well, there wasn’t one at all. At least, there was the slight twitching of his tentacles and ear fins, but apart from that he was practically stone still.
“Prune Juice?…” Kouign asked as Capsaicin rolled over to look at their companion in concern. He remained quiet.
The two glanced at one another. Concerned, the paladin stopped the scratching and started to retrieve her hand… when suddenly one of the mer’s tentacles coiled around her arm to pull it back in place.
She squeaked, surprised at the movement, but any question about why he did that was soon answered when heart shaped irises looked at his face, which was now filled with embarrassment, but most of all vulnerability and longing.
And the way her friend turned his own gaze to her sent an unspoken, but clear message.
Keep going. Please.
Something she was very willing to comply with.
She quickly resumed the touches, watching as Prune’s usually squinted eyes widened and his head lowered in shame. That was, until she gently put her other hand on his cheek, which resulted in him practically slumping against her, hiding his face on her shoulders while muffled sobs came from him.
At the same time, some of his tentacles enveloped around his companions’bodies, as if it was his own attempt at hugging or returning some of the affection.
Which they soon returned back to him.