[[ Sorry for the late reply! Got addicted to a RPG. XD Wooooooo. Been a while since I've felt this frustrated. It's taking so long to finish. =.= ]]

Hebs took note of that and nodded. "If we get Kratos to say yes, though, and have him coax his mer lover, I'm sure it'd have him think twice." Even Kratos would want to know more about his lover; if he didn't, then what kind of lover would he be? As he thought this thought, he was only snapped out of it when he'd heard Shadow's next words. Quickly moving his gaze up to the fallen angel, he glanced over at Alfie and Gian before he'd pushed his own chair back to get back up to his feet.

"Let's hope it won't go that far again, Alfie," the snake man told his fellow kin and made his way to where Shadow was. Putting a hand on his back, he smiled slightly at him and gave it a little pat. "Try not to make that temper of yours rise. I'd be forced to use other means to keep your mind off of the current situation."

Gian blinked at what Hebs had told Shadow and he turned to look at Alfie with his slightly raised brows. "Hebs... is awfully bold these days, isn't he?" he asked the naga in a low voice while he pressed his cheek against the others' forehead.

[[ Persona 3 and 4. Ahahahaha. I haven't finished P3 yet. The graphics of P4's better. > >
And, who's that on your avi? o = So... blonde and black. x3 I like the blend of colors. ]]

Hebs saw the look of mischief on Shadow's face and he chuckled lightly at what he'd said. He'd expected that reply but nonetheless, it managed to bring a slight tint of red to rest on the snake man's cheeks. The pat made him step out from the dining room and he led them both towards Kratos' room where he was sure Léan had made himself comfortable in. "Will Kratos be enough as a support to Léan?" he asked, worriedly as he turned to look at Shadow again.

By the time they had arrived in front of the door, he stopped and inhaled deeply before knocking thrice. "Kratos? Is Léan with you?" Hebs took that grunt from the other side of the door as a yes and he decided to continue on. "Is it all right if both Shadow and I come in and ask the both of you something?"

Kratos finally stirred awake at that question and he mindlessly slid his hand down Léan's back. He hadn't realized he had rested his hand on the others' shoulderblade. There was obvious irritation on his face at the interruption of his sleep. He may be a light sleeper but he could easily go back to sleep. The current situation didn't invite him to do so though. Looking down at the merman, he tilted his head a little to see the others' face. "Awake?" he asked, his voice hoarse and his eyelids still heavy.

((It is supposed to be Léan, but there aren't any blue merpeople accessories, so I'm stuck with black. I think it looks awesome. :3))


Shadow looked like he felt accomplished when Hebs started to blush. In fact, he grinned rather widely and sauntered after the younger male with a predatory look to his walk. Once they reached Kratos' room, he straightened up a bit and began to nervously smooth out the wrinkles in his shirt. "I'm not sure. I think it will be a test of how strong their feelings are for each other. If it's simple puppy love, then no...he won't be enough. We'll see."

When Shadow was sure that Kratos was stirring, he began to run over a plan of attack in his mind. "...It will be easier if you bring it up, I think...and then I will take it from there. All right? Just provide support for me, especially if Léan goes off into one of his tantrums." Their siren was very childish, no matter how much he denied it. When he didn't want to do something, he would throw one hell of a tantrum.

Léan grunted in annoyance, but curled up closer to Kratos, sniffing slightly. His eyes were still closed, his eyelids feeling like two-ton blocks of steel were on top of them. "I'm awake," he replied quietly, not seeming to mind that hand on his back. The tip of his tailfin was flicking back and forth, curling and uncurling as it often did when he was stirring out of a good, deep sleep. He couldn't imagine what Shadow and Hebs wanted...

[[ And it is awesome! <3 ]]

Hebs' worry didn't leave him at all when he'd heard Shadow's reply. Amongst them all, Hebs was more of the mother hen, often worried when one or the other member of their family would be in trouble. "Then, I hope it's not just simple puppy love for them," he started before he'd blinked and turned to look at Shadow. Nodding at that plan of attack he'd just shared with him, he opened the door once he'd heard Kratos telling him 'yes', and left the door open for their ringleader.

"I'll start us off and get straight to the point then." Meeting Kratos' sleepy and annoyed gaze, he gave him a rather serious look. "Would you two want to join us into sharing your past with us?"

Kratos had visibly stiffened for a few minutes and a frown marred his features. Hebs sure was blunt but it was as he'd said and he had to give it to him. He knew how to throw people off. "What for?" he asked, wariness apparent in his voice before he'd looked down at the merman and thought about what Hebs had said. Speaking of the past, he hadn't had a chance to ask about his love interest's past. It's not that he don't care. He just haven't had the time to think about it like he is now. What would Léan say?

Hebs blinked a little at Shadow's arm wrapping around his waist and he glanced at him for a moment before he'd turned to look back at the two on the bed. Of course, he'd seen Léan's reaction and he wasn't able to hold himself back from being worried. Would he be okay? It seemed that Kratos' own possessive hold on the merman tightened. The life man even pulled him close.

"What's having to be connected do with the two of them joining us?" Kratos asked as he pursed his lips and wrapped his other arm around Léan. "Gian didn't need any connections with any of us."

Gian, indeed, isn't a freak. That much was true. Kratos had to grunt in reply to that as he looked off elsewhere. Managing to get both he and Léan in a sitting position, he leaned against the wall and stroked the merman's back.

Hebs, so far, was understanding where Shadow came from. "And, now, your lover, Léan," the snake man added as he patted Shadow's hand lightly. He was, of course, talking about Kratos. It seemed that with the way Léan was sinking into Kratos' embrace, things would go well with the life man there. Kratos' cheeks burned at the word 'lover', and he half buried his face on the merman's shoulder, looking thoroughly embarrassed.

"I... want to know, too, Léan," Kratos said, quietly as he let his eyes slide shut. Tightening his hold on the merman and pulling him close to him, he warily moved his gaze towards the other two who seemed rather comfortable in each other's embrace and cast his gaze back down. "I want to know everything about you. It will not make me want you any less."

Kratos managed a small smile to rest o his lips as he continued to hold the merman close to him. "Then, I'll do too." He glanced up at Shadow before he'd started stroking the others' back again. Hebs, on the other hand, smiled brightly and nodded once. His hold on the back of Shadow's hand had tightened just a tad.

"Shall we do this in the kitchen?" he asked as he raised his eyebrows a little, "Or do you want to do this here in Kratos' room, Shadow?"

Gian turned to look out the door. "I don't think I'm hearing any crashes or bams. How'd you think it's going in there?" he asked Alfie and turned to look down at him. The human nudged the others' head a bit and pressed a light kiss onto his lips before pulling away quickly to watch his thumb stroking the back of the naga's hand.

Kratos looked down at Léan and reached up with his free hand to have it run through the merman's hair. "I'll be here," he whispered into Léan's ear before he'd given him a small, gentle smile, one that he'd hidden from Shadow's and Heb's view.

Hebs glanced back at Shadow and smiled softly at the sight of his closed eyes. It felt good that the other was comfortable around him. It made him more at ease that he was giving such a vibe. "I'll come back for the both of you if you don't come to the kitchen in a few minutes." He turned to look towards Léan and Kratos' way just before he'd been guided to the door. Taking Shadow's hand, he gave him another smile. "Kratos, somehow, has changed." Whether that was for the better or not, he wasn't sure.

Gian chuckled and then blinked. "Even with Kratos? I think Kratos' doing a good job of keeping his moods." The boy stopped and made a face. "They're both moody, though. Strange how they even got together."

Kratos oddly found Léan's reaction cute and cute was never a word he'd thought he'd associate with anyone. The usually stoic man's cheeks colored as he stared down at the merman and he wasn't able to stop himself from leaning down to kiss him lightly on the lips. Only when he'd realized what he'd done had the color reached up to his ears. Looking off to the side, he could only hope that Léan hadn't seen him looking embarrassed. "Sh-Should..." He trailed off to gather his composure before he'd repeated himself in a quiet voice - loud enough for Léan to hear, that is: "Should we go?"

Hebs followed after Shadow and he gave a nod at Shadow's words. That was true. And, there was also that matter with Shadow and him. Not that he was rushing it or anything nor was he hoping for anything to happen between them. It's just... if what had happened was just casual, Hebs might just have to crush whatever hope he has. Hope wasn't exactly something Hebs liked holding onto but he couldn't help but feel that tiny - miniscule - lingering hope inside of him. It didn't matter if Shadow had slept with countless of people during his lifetime.

Just... where exactly are these thoughts coming from? he thought idly as he shook his head to clear his thoughts and smiled. "Somehow," he started, "You're sounding like a father ready to make his daughter stronger and give her away." Hebs chuckled as he entered the kitchen and turned to look at the two who seemed rather comfortable in each other's arms.

"Do either of you want something to drink? Hot or cold?" He needed to pull his mind away from his thoughts by doing something else. Thinking too much and mulling over things are traits he'd rather not have.

Gian snickered. "That's true," he said, "I'd have stand up to Shadow, too, if I had their guts. They're really cool." Grinning brightly, he turned to look up at the two who'd joined them. The offer made his eyes sparkle. "Hot chocolate?"

Of course, Kratos had seen that wicked, little smirk on Léan's lips. It only made him grunt in playful annoyance before he'd shifted the merman to sit on his lap so he could lift him up as he got off bed. "And... don't say anything," he mumbled. He knew just what the other was thinking and he'd rather not have his whole face turn red. His cheeks and ears were still, well, slightly there while he made his way to the room where they usually gathered. It was somewhat a dining room-slash-meeting room for some odd reason.

Hebs turned to look again at Shadow and he smiled softly at the shame he'd heard in his tone. Giving the fallen angel's back a little pat, he moved his gaze back to the two and nodded. "Hot chocolate then. What about you, Shadow? Want one too?" He was already making his way to the door where the kitchen was while silently thinking whether or not they still had cocoa to make that drink.

Gian laughed at the sight of Alfie and he took that tongue to put it back into the naga's mouth. "Don't you dare drool on me," he said in a tone that passed up as playful before he'd grinned at Hebs, "Awesome, though. Thanks, Hebs!"

Kratos found himself smiling slightly despite his embarrassment at that adorable, feline purr he was hearing form Léan. It joyed him a lot that the merman was comfortable with him and warming up to him. He didn't think he'd ever get the merman to turn those eyes of his to him with want. Hell, the most he'd thought of was just a chance to see Léan during their shows and quietly stay by his tank. If not, at least pass by to see him. It wasn't hard to tell that Kratos adored and liked Léan a lot.

And, even moreso that he was showing such expressions openly to Léan.

"All right then," Hebs said with a chuckle before he'd nodded. "I'll go prepare each of us some hot chocolate." The snake man disappeared into the door. Gian, on the other hand, cuddled against the snuggling naga. "Won't Léan rip all our faces off anyway?" The boy made a face and he turned to glance at Shadow before he'd turned to look down at Alfie.

"Shouldn't we start with those without problems like you? And Hebs maybe? Léan could be last; that way, we won't have anyone else to call after him?"

Gian blinked when he'd seen Shadow cast a sly look his way. What was that about? "What things?" he asked as he turned to look at Alfie and raised his eyebrows curiously. The boy poked at his lover with his free hand and tilted his head a bit to meet the naga's eyes. "Hey, Alfie. What did Shadow meant by 'some things'? What'd interest me?" Apparently, Gian was too interested to know.

Hebs only chuckled at Shadow's question and words before he'd decided to peek out and see what was happening. Gian and Alfie seemed caught up in their own world, thanks to Shadow. "You're pretty good at making the boring interesting." The snake man snickered and returned to his making the hot chocolate drink for all of them.

Kratos finally arrived in the room and he pulled out a chair to sit on it and set the merman onto his lap. He continued to hold him close and his hand that had once been under the others' tail was now resting on his lap while he warily looked about from Shadow to the other two seated not very far from them.

Gian was more than surprised to see that look of embarrassment on Alfie's features. It was new, indeed. What was Alfie hiding that was making him like this? As he thought this thought, he leaned onto Alfie and nudged him a bit. "C'mon," the boy started as he raised his eyebrows in curiosity, "Why don't you tell me what it is?" He took Alfie's hand into his own and laced their fingers together. There was no way he was going to let Alfie go without telling him what it is.

Hebs turned to look at Shadow and chuckled. "You're really looking for trouble, aren't you?" he asked before he'd motioned to the cabinets overhead. "Could you get the marshmallows?" The snake man went to the fridge to open it and take out a bar of chocolate. Nothing like a piece of chocolate in a hot, chocolate drink to make it all the more chocolatier.

Kratos noticed the fins at the side of Léan's head. It wasn't hard to miss out on them and he idly brought up a hand to have the tips of his fingers run over the edges. "I'll be here," he reminded the other as he tightened his hold on him and pressed a light kiss onto his forehead. That was strange. Kratos going gentle. Perhaps, it was because Gian and Alfie were caught up with each other and Shadow was inside the kitchen with Hebs. No one was there to watch and he didn't really like how the merman was on high-alert like this all the time.

((Uuugh...I'm exhausted. Had my graduation tonight...took forever...))


Alfie chuckled a bit, albeit a bit nervously, and then shook his head. "No, no. I, ah...would rather not talk about it until I absolutely have to, you know? It's kind of embarrassing, even for someone like me. Shadow sure found it funny the first time he peeked around for secrets in my mind...hell, he still finds it funny. And it is...but still...if you want to know, you'll have to wait..." The naga gently rubbed the back of Gian's hand with his thumb.

"Always...and yes, I can." Shadow reached into the cabinet above him and tugged out a bag full of small marshmallows, holding it out to Hebs. He had a very sly sort of grin on his face. Obviously, since he knew everyone's secrets...it was going to be very difficult for anyone to lie or leave things out of their explanations. Except, well...for himself, of course. When it was Shadow's turn, everyone was going to have to watch him closely to make sure he wasn't lying or leaving things out...

Léan still seemed a little grumpy, even though he leaned more into Kratos' touch. Those fins remained flared out. "I still don't want to talk," he reminded Kratos glumly, a blank sort of look on his face. He wasn't going to be enthusiastic or happy about it at all, it seemed, no matter what anyone at all said. At the very least, he had agreed to talk...it might turn out being beneficial for him, but it didn't seem like that sort of positivity was running rampant in the merman's mind at the moment.