Partly inspired by 'Hylas & The Nymphs' from Greek mythology, painting by JW Waterhouse.
Tentacle
Pool
© Melanie Tushmore 2012
The following story is a work of fiction, any
resemblance to any persons (or tentacled beings) living or dead is
purely coincidental. No part of this work may be copied or reproduced
without the author's written permission.
Dedication
Happy Birthday, Samantha!
With special thanks to Evie, Piper & MJ
* * *
Ancient
Greece, on the Sea of Marmara.
A
little after lunch.
The
boat splashed through shallow, clear water, its bottom dragging on
the sand.
“Everybody
out!” commanded Dmitri. “The quicker we get to shore, the quicker
we can find food.”
The
other sailors leapt over the boat's side, muttering under their
breath as they tugged and pulled the boat to the beach.
Aire
wasn't a sailor. He was a musician and a fool for letting his father
push him into a voyage with his older brother, Dmitri. “Play for
the crew,” Father had said. “Entertain them! Even Orpheus went on
a voyage, and that was with Jason.” Aire shook his head.
Father didn't understand. Aire wasn't built for heavy work; his slim
body and delicate hands weren't any use on a ship.
Not
for the sort of work Dmitri wanted him to do, anyway. “Who wants to
hear music?” he'd scoffed. “Be quiet, and make our dinner!”
Some
voyage, Aire thought to himself. So far, all they'd done was circle
the mainland twice, thanks to Dmitri's appalling navigation skills,
and now they'd drifted off course to Mysia,
the deserted island that no one ever came to. Aire was
positive that when they got back home Dmitri would have dreamt up
some incredibly pompous stories of his imaginary adventures, bribing
his crew to keep quiet.
“Aire!”
Dmitri snapped, jolting Aire out of his thoughts. “Stop stalling
and help us.”
Aire
peered over the edge of the boat, into the water. He really didn't
want to get his sandals wet.
“Doesn't
matter, Dmitri,” Eli grunted, pulling on the boat's side. “We're
almost on the shore anyway.”
“Yes,
it does matter,” Dmitri muttered.
Eli
rolled his eyes, as Aire ducked inside the boat. “Don't worry,
lad,” Eli said. “Stay where you are. No sense us all
getting wet.”
The
small boat was pulled onto powdery white sand. Dry starfish and empty
sea shells lay scattered on the beach. The other sailors grumbled and
stretched before collecting their belongings from the boat: spears,
knives, rope, and cloth. They were going hunting, though Aire
seriously doubted their chances of finding anything alive on this
island. It was overgrown, all hills and forest. Not only would they
have to hike to get anywhere, they'd have to carry their
quarry back to the beach.
“Aire,
wake up.” Dmitri thrust the water-skins at him. “Go fetch water.”
Aire
sighed quietly. It looked like he would be hiking too. He
threaded the water-skins onto a smooth, wooden pole, and used it to
steady himself as he clambered from the boat. One of the men stuck a
foot out to trip him on purpose, and Aire stumbled into Eli.
“Steady,
lad.” Eli chuckled, his hands catching a quick grope as he helped
Aire up. “Don't want to fall, now.”
They
laughed at him, their eyes roving over his ruffled tunic.
Aire
smoothed his clothes down. “Thank you, Eli. I'm fine.” He
picked up his pole, the water-skins dangling from each end, and laid
it across his shoulders.
“Take
care now!” they called after him.
Aire
ignored them. At least being sent to fetch water, he'd have some
peace at last.
Fresh
water was more likely to come from higher up, so Aire left the beach
and entered the forest, picking his way through trees and green
brush. Songbirds called to each other in the branches overhead. The
deeper Aire went into the forest, the more flowers he saw; wild
blooms of exotic, varying colours, their scents sweet and fragrant. A
strange insect landed on an open yellow flower, its wings sparkling
in the dappled light from the trees. Aire paused, and leaned closer
to look. The insect flew away, but not before Aire had seen that it
looked more lizard than winged insect.
In
the distance, he heard Dmitri's hunting horn. That was quick, he
thought. Maybe there were wild creatures on the island, after
all. And here Aire was, on his own in the forest.
He
swallowed, hurrying on his way.
Aire
was in luck. Having only just begun to climb to the raised ground, he
happened to stumble through a tightly woven set of trees, into a
small clearing. There was a pool there, settled underneath a bowing
laurel tree.
Perfect.
Aire's
shoulders simply couldn't have taken any more. The thought of the
pole weighing even heavier on
his return journey made Aire groan. He sank to his knees at the
pool's edge, pushing the pole and water-skins away. He was parched,
and the water looked clean.
There
were unusual leafy pads sitting on the water's surface, each crowned
with a small white bud. Were they lily pads? The largest, in the
centre of the pool, would have been of a size to fit a human head. It
had a full bloom of off-white, yellow petals on its pad, yet Aire
didn't see any insects around. He gazed into the water. He couldn't
see any fish either. It was clear, but all he saw were stems from the
lily pads that led down through the water. They seemed so thick; dark
green and tangled together. They would be a perfect hiding place for
small fish, if there were any.
Aire
leaned carefully over the edge. The pool was small but it seemed to
go very deep. And yet, no life within? Curious. Maybe there
were fish toward the bottom, where the water was darker? Aire bent
lower still, scenting it with his nose. The water smelt fresh and
faintly sweet. He cupped his hands in the water, crisp and cool
against his skin, and dared to sip.
Well,
it tasted fine. Aire pulled up glistening handfuls of water to his
mouth. When he had drank his fill, he gazed again into the pool. The
ripples caused by his hands had stilled, and the surface was smooth
once more. Aire saw himself staring back, as clearly as if he looked
into a mirror. His hair was a mess. His dark curls had been
picked and yanked free from the fastening by the forest branches.
Aire undid the tie and brushed his hair back using his fingers. He
retied the band, although he did consider it a pointless task; his
hair would only become more dishevelled on the way back. This was why
Dmitri kept his hair short, he supposed.
Aire
pulled a lock of hair to his face and sniffed. He smelt of the sea
now, like the sailors. Aire didn't mind the sea, not really, but how
he missed playing his harp. Especially since Dmitri had tossed his
travelling one overboard. And how Aire missed playing for an
appreciative audience. He would definitely have a talk with his
parents when they got home. Maybe he could convince them to send him
to Athens, to study with the followers of Bacchus.
That
would certainly be fun.
If
only Aire had his harp, he would have sat here by this pool until
sunset, playing songs. His fingers rose in his lap, holding the
imaginary instrument, and moved against invisible strings. He hummed
under his breath, finding a tune. He had been composing his own song
before Dmitri had put a stop to it. As soon as Aire got his hands on
another harp he'd have to finish the song. Aire remembered the soft,
wistful notes and began to sing.
“I
wish I'd say unto to my love
“All
the words within my heart.
“Until
that day, I'll play my harp
“And
wait for –”
A
ripple stirred the water, then the lily pads jerked, as if tugged
sharply from below. Aire's song trailed off. He saw movement,
something stirring in the water deep within in the pool. He was half
afraid but, foolishly, he peered in. His eyes widened in alarm as he
saw the unmistakable shape of coils writhing underwater, rushing to
the surface.
Snakes!
He
stumbled back, slipping on the moist bank as he tried to run. The
lily pads rose up. Aire saw that they were not snakes, the
lily stems themselves were the coils; each one an enormous, thick
green tentacle, and they surged forward. Aire's scream never made it
past his lips. The tentacles came for him, two snapping around his
ankles in a fierce grip. He gasped as he was dragged into the pool.
The water splashed in glistening shards as he broke the surface.
Aire
screwed his eyes shut and held his breath, not daring to imagine the
jaws on whatever terrible creature awaited him. Tentacles slipped
around his wrists – smooth and strangely warm – while thicker
tentacles cradled his body. Aire felt them coiling around him as he
was pulled down through the water. He only hoped his death would not
be painful. Perhaps he would drown before he was eaten? Water shot
through his nose, and Aire swallowed it down. He willed himself not
to take in any more, but he needed air. His chest was starting to
burn, and his heart stuttered wildly.
He
couldn't bear not seeing any longer; what creature had hold of him?
Aire opened his eyes. The water bubbled. Dark green coils surrounded
him, a forest of tentacles. He was still being dragged downward with
alarming speed. He dared to look down, expecting a vicious
creature....
As
the coils moved and writhed, Aire caught sight of what was beneath
him. At the bottom of the pool, the creature waited. It was half man,
half...something. Several large tentacles were in place of two
legs; as many as an octopus, perhaps more.
The largest of the tentacles were dark green, with lighter
undersides. Thinner, spindly tentacles spread out from the creature,
like feelers. Aire recognised the lily pads along each length. Had
those been the creatures tentacles resting on the water's
surface? What deity had he offended by sitting at this pool?
Aire
struggled in vain as he was dragged down. The tentacles brought him
before the creature, bubbles obscuring his features. Aire thrashed
and panicked, his lungs burning. Distinctly human hands cupped his
face, and Aire felt very human
lips press against his, covering his mouth. He stilled in surprise.
Even in the water, those lips felt warm and soft. The creature sucked
out the water he had swallowed, then breathed a lungful of hot,
tingling air into him. Aire shivered, his chest relaxing. The
creature pulled back carefully, and a voice spoke to him inside his
head.
You
won't drown, mortal. What is your name?
Aire
blinked under the water. He was stunned, but his mind instantly
brought up his name as he wondered how on earth he would say it
underwater.
Aire,
the creature spoke, still inside his mind. I am Sidian.
Aire
ceased his struggles and the water calmed; the last of the bubbles
dispersed. Through clear water, Aire stared at his captor, this
deity, who in face and upper body looked nearly human. His chest was
hairless, the skin there and on his arms was smooth, iridescent. He
was slim yet defined, the perfect image of a youthful male. A small
lily pad rested on each of his shoulders, white flowers waving in the
water. Long, black hair drifted behind him, framing a face of
startling beauty. Bright yellow eyes with slitted pupils stared back
at him, and blue tinged lips curved in a smile.
What
brings you to my pool?
Aire
opened his mouth to speak, but a finger pressed across his lips.
You
don't need to speak, Aire. I can read your thoughts.
Feeling
slightly panicked, Aire thought about what had brought him here:
Dmitri's misjudged voyage, their need for fresh water. Oh, how he
wished he'd been more careful. He had only wanted to drink from the
pool. What did this creature want from him?
Those
blue lips smiled. The sunlight from above played over Sidian's face
and chest; flashes of blue, violet and crystal white shining on his
skin. Aire stared, distracted. The pretty, smooth insides of sea
shells came to his mind as he looked at this creature's skin.
Beautiful.
Sidian
closed his eyes and laughed. Bubbles escaped his nose while slits of
skin on his neck opened. His lips pulled back over his teeth and Aire
caught a glimpse of two long, hooked fangs.
Oh,
Gods, save me!
Sidian
stopped laughing. I am a God, mortal. What is it you want saving
from?
Aire
blinked at him. You mean you won't devour me?
Sidian
looked at Aire calmly, raising one elegant brow. No.
Flooded
with relief, Aire relaxed in his bonds. The tentacles loosened their
hold but still coiled around him. A shiver ran over Aire's skin as he
thought, what do you
want with me?
Yellow
slitted eyes lowered, looking him over. Your song called to me,
Aire. Why so melancholy?
The
image that instantly filled Aire's mind was that of the ship; of the
toiling, the labour, of dull, endless days at sea and the bickering
with his brother, Dmitri.
Sidian's
smile became knowing. I can save you from that boredom, my pretty.
At least, for a little while.
There
was warmth in his voice. Aire vaguely thought he should feel worried,
but there was something about the way that Sidian's tentacles held
him, as if he were a precious object. Aire felt safe, protected. More
than that; desired. A shiver of anticipation whipped through
him as he looked into Sidian's eyes. There was only one thought in
his mind.
Yes.
The
tentacles swiftly slipped around his body and under his tunic as they
pushed the fabric away. They caressed the sensitive skin of his
thighs, urging his trembling legs to part. Aire lay back on his bed
of coils as the tentacles touched him all over, like the kiss of a
thousand lovers on his skin. The thinner, spindly tentacles wrapped
around his hard length, enveloping him in delicious pressure. Aire
moaned behind clenched teeth, the sound vibrating through the water.
The tentacles clamped onto his length, sucking down tightly, then
slowly peeling away, one sucker at a time. He whimpered at each
sucker's release, then felt more tentacles curl round his legs,
holding him steady. The tentacle's ends slid around his hips, parted
his cheeks like nimble fingers, and probed within him, gentle and
teasing.
Aire
writhed in pleasure, but it wasn't enough. He ground himself against
the tentacles, needing more. Sidian's arms circled his waist, pulling
Aire against him. A shorter, but no less thick, length of tentacle
jutted out from Sidian's body, brushing between Aire's legs. Aire
whimpered in longing as he recognised what it was, and hooked his
legs around Sidian's waist. He let the hands on his lower back slowly
guide him into place, and the length pushed inside. Bubbles streamed
from Aire's nose as he grunted. His insides burned, but he wanted
more. He tilted his hips to slide further down the thick,
slippery shaft. The tentacles around him shuddered, holding Aire in a
firm, rippling embrace as Sidian began to thrust into him.
You
feel divine, my pretty. So tight.
Aire
pressed his lips together, and the noises in his throat echoed
through the water. He reached forward, careful not to crush the lily
flowers as he held onto Sidian's shoulders, and sank down to meet
each powerful thrust. His eyes fluttered closed as pleasure overtook
him. His cock bobbed between them in the water, hard and leaking. The
tension in his muscles cried out for release. Impaled on Sidian's
wonderfully thick cock, he shifted his hips and sought that perfect
alignment. Pure molten pleasure burned through his body, and he threw
his head back in the water, groaning his release. His body tensed,
muscles clenching as his cock pulsed, shooting out streams of pearly
white seed, dispersing through the water.
The
gorgeous creature rammed into him one last time, arching his back as
pleasure contorted his face. Aire felt Sidian's cock pulse
inside him and, with it, he felt the most remarkable sensations; his
limbs tingled, his eyesight sharpened, and he could hear a
low, fluting noise coming from Sidian.
Aire
moved his hands over the creature's chest, feeling the vibrations
inside. Was it a song? It was beautiful. Aire stroked his hands all
over that satiny smooth skin, mapping each muscle and curve. Sidian
raised his eyes. The black slits had grown larger with desire, almost
oval in their intensity. Aire gazed into them, utterly lost.
A
smile curved the creature's lips. He pulled back, carefully so,
removing himself from Aire's body. Aire was about to protest and
opened his mouth, when hands cupped his face, pulling him down for a
fierce kiss. Aire thought he could kiss Sidian forever, but then
those soft lips left his own, gently pushing him away. You can
visit my pool whenever you wish, my pretty.
Aire
blinked in surprise, then Sidian let him go; his arms opened out as
the tentacles surrounded Aire, and carried him through the water.
Aire reached for Sidian, but
all he saw was that perfect face smiling up at him, black hair
and tentacles floating outwards.
“Wait!”
Aire tried to speak through the water but it was garbled, choking
him. He coughed as he broke the surface, propelled upward by the
tentacles. He flipped his hair back and breathed in sweet air as the
tentacles deposited him upon the bank. Aire tried to grasp onto their
lengths, but they were too silky, too smooth. A shiver of desire ran
over him as the tentacles slipped through his fingers, retreating
into the water.
Aire
breathed heavily, dazed, and stared at the now silent pool. The lily
pads had gone, the surface was clear and still. Only one small ripple
betrayed any tale of movement below. Aire stayed by the bank for long
moments, almost wishing that Sidian and his wicked tentacles would
come back. Aire had never had such an...intense experience in
his life.
He
adjusted his tunic, pulling it back into place over still trembling
legs. His sandals squelched, thoroughly soaked, but he didn't mind. A
slow smile spread over his lips. Dmitri would never believe
this.
Aire
gathered himself up, standing somewhat shakily. His behind burned,
but pleasantly so. Walking carefully, he stumbled back through the
forest, intent on returning to the beach. Perhaps voyaging wasn't so
bad after all, he mused.
The
smell of smoke and roasted meat greeted his nose as he neared the
shore. Aire broke through the line of trees onto sand, stumbling
across the beach to where the others had made a campfire. They were
cooking what looked like a wild pig, turning it over the flames.
Dmitri
looked up as Aire approached them. “You took your time,” he
snapped. “Did you find water?”
Aire
nodded dreamily. “Yes, I did.”
Dmitri
looked him up and down. “Well, where are the water-skins?”
“Uh,
um....” Aire looked around him, belatedly realising he had left the
skins, unfilled, by the water's edge. Eli and the others chuckled.
Dmitri
said, “You fool. Now you'll have to return to wherever you left
them, and fetch our water.”
Aire
opened his mouth to retort, then paused. He felt his lips twitch, and
his eyes must have been twinkling. “Yes,” he agreed. “I will go
right away.”
Dmitri
raised an eyebrow in question.
Aire
turned away, before the smile engulfed his face. He called over his
shoulder, “I may be a while!”
Fin
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