“They were made of metal. They weren’t flesh. They didn’t move. You are real people. Call me weird – honestly, you wouldn’t be the first to call me that - but when I think of the fact that the two of you have waited for fifty years to tangle your tentacles… You were waiting for me, and personally, I would be so honored if I could get a chance to see you two claim each other before the plane takes off in the morning. Your offer of the plane is a huge benefit for me, and I’d love to be able to do something for you two in return.”
Nic, in that moment, was prepared to give Sage anything. This sweet man, someone Nic had been prepared to write off because he was wearing glasses –I was such an ass –he didn’t know Nic and Luc at all, nothing about their backstory or anything else. And yet, just by virtue of the sort of person he was, he was doing his best to give Nic and Luc their hearts’ desire. Nic’s in particular. A chance to have a few hours in the arms/tentacles of the man he’d craved for so long.
Sage watching them? Nic was sure the heat he could see in Luc’s eyes was reflected in his own. Yes, they’d let their tentacles be played with by others, but Nic and Luc’s focus had always been on each other. This time, with their tentacles completely free to tangle with each other… Sage being there would be a bonus Nic had never imagined he’d want.
“I don’t have to watch – I realize this is something you’ve longed for between the two of you and should probably be done in private. I just thought, if I did watch, then let’s just say this year could be the first time I make a New Year’s resolution – to tangle with some tentacles of my own.” Sage laughed, clearly nervous, and worried about what Nic and Luc might be thinking.
Nic leaned against Luc’s shoulder. “Is this something you’d be interested in doing?” he asked quietly. “I know the idea of the three of us being equals is something you’re very passionate about. If you’d rather wait until we get back from Iceland…”
“Oh, my gods, mate.” Luc’s arms around Nic’s middle sent his tentacles tingling. “I have wanted you so badly for so long. Sage has offered us an amazing gift - somewhere private we can claim each other, in water which we know is going to be suitable for our shifted form because our mate is a really intelligent and respected researcher. Throw in the idea that we’d be claiming each other in front of our third, which would be a wonderful way to show our lovely Sage what our forms are capable of, without any pressure for Sage to respond.”
Luc smiled in Sage’s direction. “I am well aware we have just met, and technically, Nic and I are your bosses until seven in the morning. But you, Sage, have given us the gift of understanding and that means more than you could know.”
“I always read that mates did things for each other,” Sage said quietly. “To know you waited for me, from before I was born… that’s mind-blowing in so many ways.”
“He’s perfect, isn’t he?” Sage might think that Luc was asking a lighthearted question, but Nic understood why.
“Absolutely perfect in every way.” Nic could see that now. “Okay, Mr. Scientist. Where do we have to go to access this water of yours? Because I’ve got to admit, I’m having a bit of trouble keeping my tentacles in my pants.”
“That’s not a sentence I hear very often,” Sage said with a laugh. “Most tentacles I’ve seen don’t come with pants.”
“You haven’t seen anything yet.” Nic could barely contain himself he was so excited. “Not to brag or anything…”
“Show, don’t tell, babe. You’re always known to over-exaggerate.” Luc laughed as he gave Nic’s waist an extra squeeze before he stood up. “Let’s order some coffee and snacks to take with us, and head out for a bit of a road trip.”
Chapter Fifteen
Sage
Sage was so glad that he had taken his backpack into the Regis Hotel that night instead of leaving it at home. He had thought that he would need to use his credentials to be able to secure a flight, possibly even get a discount on one. So he had his pass card with him when he let Nic and Luc into the Maritime Research Facility.
“I was absolutely thrilled to be able to work here,” Sage explained, as he made sure the door was shut firmly behind them and led the two men down a wide corridor toward where the holding tanks were.
“The entire purpose of this place is to rescue, rehabilitate, and then relocate the animals that we help back into their environment. The larger tanks were actually built more specifically for whales, as we have rescued a number of them over the years. They are generally brought back to health here, and then typically we’d use helicopters with hanging tanks or slings to take them out to the sea where they belong.”
“That’s a lot of work for one whale,” Nic commented.
“It’s a long and very expensive process for most of the creatures we help here. Fortunately, we don’t have to rely on government grants, and this place relies almost entirely on private donations.” Sage flicked on some more lights. “We get a lot of donations from shifters, actually. They appreciate the rehabilitation and the relocation work that we do and our stance against keeping any creatures in captivity.”
“I’ve got to admit,” Luc said, clearly interested as he looked around. “I’ve never heard of this place before. If Nic and I hadknown about it, we would have definitely contributed. Have you had krakens here before?”
“I don’t recall us having a kraken here – we have very few shifters, actually. Most of them, as you know, if they’re injured, they heal themselves when they shift back into their human form.” Sage moved over to the panel that controlled the water temperature, saline content, and various other aspects necessary for keeping the tank water in optimum condition.
“We did have a killer whale shifter here back in January, although that was more a misunderstanding than anything else. The whale had been caught by a spear fisherman, I believe, and had made his way to shore. But he was found by some quick-thinking workers who - thinking he was in danger of stranding himself - contacted us, and he was transported by helicopter to our institution.
“It wasn’t until the killer whale was put back in the water here that our whale specialists realized he was a lot bigger than an average killer whale. We removed the spear, and within seconds the wound had healed – big clue he was a shifter – and he shifted back to human form a few moments later. He was hellishly embarrassed, but very appreciative about the whole thing.” Sage chuckled. “It happens sometimes.”
“So he would have shifted before he got rescued as such,” Nic said, and he was chuckling too. “But he couldn’t shift back because of the spear in him.”
“Pretty much. I think he was hoping someone on the shore would just take the spear out for him so that he could heal and shift – whales aren’t known for their opposable thumbs. But his good Samaritans knew about our work here and called us immediately. A good idea in most situations.”
Sage laughed. “As I say, he was highly embarrassed, and he regularly donates to this place now to thank us for the trouble, although it’s not expected. I remember him saying, ‘I always wanted to travel by helicopter, but I didn’t plan on doing it in my shifted form.’ We gave him a pair of pants and a phone so he could contact his family, who were looking for him.
“He had just gotten a bit off track on one of his swims, but most of our work is done with natural creatures, and it’s vitally important that they are not kept captured. Although we do have a few visitors here at the moment.”
“I don’t want to put a downer on the evening,” Luc said, “but I think one of your visitors has actually passed.” He pointed over to a smaller tank in the corner of the room where an octopus was lying motionless, its tentacles all drooping in the water.
“Ah, Charlie has attracted your attention. That’s exactly his intention. Come and meet him.” Sage went around the side of what was a huge tank and, sliding his hand under the grill used to prevent the octopus from escaping, gently wiggled his hand in the water. “I realize it’s a very human thing to give names to cute creatures, but I mean, when you look at him, you can hardly blame us, can you?”
