Léan made a soft purring sound, his muscles suddenly going lax and a slight smile on his face. He liked having his hair petted. It was one of his little weaknesses--something that made his body go weak and his resolve waver. "I did, yes. I had only just woken up when I started singing." At the mention of his singing, he frowned again. "...I should really try not to sing where I know other people are. It causes trouble."

Kratos shook his head even though he was well aware that Léan wouldn't be able to see it. "I like it," he mumbled, his cheeks coloring just a tad. He never really was one for confessions. Even moreso, when he liked something or loved, in one sense or two. "I like your voice and you." Kratos mumbled the last word as he hid half of his face on the other's shoulder. He was looking away and had slid his hands back down to wrap tightly around Léan's waist. Kratos knew, too, that he was probably clinging onto Léan like a little kid but he didn't care.

If it was Léan, he didn't really care at all.

Léan figured that was a 'Kratos attempt' at being sweet. Mind you, it wouldn't be sweet directed toward anyone else, but Léan got the message. He sighed, reaching up to curiously run his fingers through Kratos' hair. "My singing is something I try not to do unless I have to. It can cause serious problems...lure people into danger." He paused. "...Among other things. I could go on for hours, so it's best not to get into it." He shook his head a few times, clearing it.

He seemed content with the clinging--in fact, the grip he had on Kratos with the hand not exploring his hair was tight, as well. Was he...getting more used to close contact? Was that a good sign?

Kratos isn't exactly the sweetest of guys. He was still learning in that department, at least. "But..." The male stopped as he sighed and leaned into Léan's touch. His eyes slid shut and he was silently stroking Léan's sides with the tips of his fingers. "Is that all there is to your singing?" Opening his eyes and lifting his head a bit, he looked at Léan and tilted his head a bit.

"What do you mean?" Léan asked, raising a blonde eyebrow. His voice was a peculiar mix of suspicion and genuine curiosity. Did he mean...could he sing in different ways, or...did it have different effects with different songs? Singing was a big part of the life of merpeople--even more so with social merpeople who lived in large groups. Léan very rarely sang unless he was in a good mood...and he thought no one else was around...

Kratos hadn't expected the other to reply that way. He didn't think his question was that vague. "It can't be all serious problems..." The life man gave a little pout. It showed in his face that he liked hearing Léan sing even if things had gone, well, bad to good not very long ago. "And, I really liked your singing..." The male's cheeks colored again as he grunted. Again, he never was one for confessions.

"Oh." The color of Léan's cheeks suddenly matched Kratos'. "Do you know any stories about the singing or my kind? It supposedly was the cause of a lot of deaths out at sea in the earlier days--and sometimes still is. It dazes humans...makes them lose their self-control. They can react in a number of ways. Sometimes it makes them sad, sometimes it makes them angry...most of the time, though, the dazedness will be accompanied by, ah...a very strong urge to find whatever is singing and, ah..."

He paused for a moment before deciding to make his response blunt. "...fuck it senseless."

Kratos was frozen on the spot when he'd heard what Léan had to say. At least, the last part was what made his eyes widen in surprise. Seriously?! was all he could think before he'd frowned and pursed his lips. Okay. So maybe he was going to have to be wary with that. "But... isn't it dependent to the one who's singing? Or will the effects vary in each song?" Kratos was curious now as he sat up a little straighter. His hold on Léan, though, didn't loosen one bit. He just looked like a little kid listening to a teacher or a lover.

"It depends on the human. It also depends on what sort of song the merperson is singing, though," Léan added, looking serious all of a sudden. "When you walked in, I was singing a celebratory sort of song. Something simple, something happy. Now...when most sirens are out at sea and above water singing...they're usually calling for mates. As such, they're singing mating songs. Those...those tend to have some very obvious adverse effects on humans."

He wrinkled his nose slightly. He'd never liked singing mating songs--sappy, romantic things like mating songs tended to bore him.

Kratos' frown disappeared only to be replaced with a face of annoyance. "A happy song made my knees go weak?" His forehead landed on Léan's shoulder as he sighed and grunted. He, of course, missed the look the other gave when he'd said something about mating songs. Letting his eyes slide shut, he pressed his lips on the other's shoulder and yawned a little. "Now I wonder what kind of songs would knock me off my feet." The life man slid his eyes shut again and relaxed against Léan. It really felt good to have the merman's body close to his own, whether it'd be him holding him or the other way around.

Léan opened his mouth to speak, but then he faltered, looking terribly embarrassed. His face immediately began to heat up. He was silent for a few long moments before he cleared his throat, rather loudly. "...If you really want to know...I can sing one for you." The merman had quite an uncertain, almost...frightened...tone to his voice. He looked nervous, of course. If Kratos was so curious...then...really, what was the harm of singing for him? He didn't know what sort of effect it really would have on him, after all.

Kratos' eyes snapped open at Léan's suggestion. He looked at the siren like he'd grown another head and quickly shook his head. "No," he started as he kissed the side of the other's head, "That's fine. I was talking to myself." Mumbling the last words, he rested his chin again on the merman's shoulder before he'd yawned. Shifting their positions so Léan would be resting against the pillows, Kratos laid beside the other and stretched out his legs.

"I'll take a nap." Slinging an arm around Léan's waist, the life man moved a little closer so he'd be closer to the merman - but not necessarily over him to make him uncomfortable.

"I'm not made of glass, you know."

Léan's tone had dropped considerably. He now had a very accusing look on his face. "I may not have had the best past, but I'm not going to fall apart at the very mention of trying something..." The siren's slightly annoyed expression slowly faded, though, as he glanced off to the side--it was now...somewhat solemn and nervous. "I'm never going to get over anything at all unless I put some effort into it..."

...He seemed conflicted, but very sure that he wasn't going to get anywhere at all unless he took some chances.

Kratos lifted his head a little when he'd heard Léan tell him that. Blinking a little, the life man shifted a little more so he'd be resting his chin on the other's chest. He was guilty, true, that he was treating the other, well, fragile-like but it couldn't be helped. Not after what he'd heard from Shadow long before he'd even decided to pursue his feelings with Léan. "I like you a lot, Léan," the life man said as he pressed a light kiss onto Léan's chest and rested his cheek against it. He was curious, but he didn't bother stating such a fact.

Léan sighed, closing his eyes again. He couldn't really tell that Krato felt guilty, but he suspected that he might, especially after he'd said such harsh things. The siren straightened up, looking determined. "Do you want to try, then?" he asked, point-blank, before he lost his nerve. And the moment after he said that, he did lose his nerve, looking uncertain again. "I don't know how far I'd get, but...if you want...I am willing to try."

It seemed that Léan was tired of being frightened. Though he was still uncertain and fearful, there was no way he was going to get over it all unless he took action. Maybe taking such action would help him lose the hatred he had for human beings...at least, some of it, anyway...

Kratos looked up again at the merman and blinked. He frowned and pursed his lips. "... will you push me away when I get too far?" he asked. He had to make sure. If Léan wasn't able to do such a thing, he didn't think he'd be able to even get the guts to go through with it. The life man shifted a little so he'd be propping himself up on his elbow as he looked down at the merman. His hand on the other's stomach. It didn't move. It simply stayed there.

"If," Léan corrected simply, reaching down to cover Kratos' hand on his stomach with his own. "And I can. I'll likely bite first--my first instinct when feeling cornered and frightened is to bite. Either way, it will serve its purpose if it's needed." The merman had some terribly sharp teeth--surely, even in a moment of intense passion, those powerful jaws snapping down were sure to get Kratos' attention...right?

He seemed determined. He was tired of just waiting around for healing to start...he wanted to take action.

Kratos gave a little sigh. He had to give it to Léan for wanting to change himself, though bit by bit, but this was going to be a little hard for him. Especially when he'd be the one on the receiving end when those fangs hit. "All right." The life man shifted again to have his fingers thread through Léan's hair before he'd leaned in to press a soft, lingering kiss onto the other's lips. "Just... don't bite me too hard."

"I will try not to...how hard the bite is all depends on how bad of a reaction I might have." Léan paused before leaning forward, getting himself comfortable where he was laying before the other male decided to do anything. "Just, ah...it would help if you said something each time you, ah...want to try something new or something else...sudden movements might not sit well with me."

Well...at least he admitted that this probably wasn't going to go over completely smoothly. At least, not at first--maybe when he got more comfortable...

Kratos still didn't like the sound of that but he supposed if it would calm the merman down, then he didn't have a choice. "All right," he started, quite unsure of what to do. He shifted a little to sit up and rubbed the back of his neck. "Will that work, though, while I'm, uh, dazed?" He wasn't sure how he'd react but he'd thought he'd ask just to make sure.

"You haven't truly been bitten by me...not full-on teeth. Trust me...it will work." Léan made a face. He'd bitten Kratos before. But...it hadn't been hard. A serious bite would do a lot of damage, and, if the siren was panicked, it would not be easy to pry his jaws loose. He suddenly faltered and then cleared his throat. "...How...do we...go about doing this?" he asked, awkwardly. He was a little clueless...he'd never actually RESPONDED to any sort of sexual contact...

Kratos still didn't like the sound of being bitten. He had been bitten before and that hadn't been hard, really? Then, what exactly was hard? When those jaws of his would tear his skin... apart? Somehow... I'm not wanting to go through this, he thought as he pursed his lips a little and sighed quietly. Rubbing the back of his head again, he shook his head. "I'm not... sure either."

((*takes 'em both out*))

((*tugs 'em back in*))


Léan sighed softly, seeming...relieved, perhaps...when Kratos turned and wrapped his arms very tightly around him. At once, the siren buried his face against the other's shoulder, closing his eyes. He reached up and snaked his arms up around the human's neck, ready to settle in for a nice, long, relaxing nap. He didn't respond to Kratos' words--instead, he very shyly leaned in to kiss the other male. It was, perhaps, a much more positive response than words ever could have been.

Kratos didn't need a response from the merman. All he needed was his touch. The way he'd returned his hug was affectionate enough for him. With the kiss, it made Kratos' lips tug up into a small smile. A rare smile that can be barely seen on his face. If Shadow or any of the other freaks saw his look right now, they'd definitely be in for a surprise. That look just made Kratos look all the more younger.

Hebs awoke with a start. His eyes snapped open and his body jolted to sit up. Out of breath and feeling his body warming since he couldn't sweat, the snake man brought up a hand to have it run halfway through his hair. He tried to calm his racing heart and shut his eyes tightly. He never knew why he's been plagued with such dreams. It also often happened when he was taking his naps. There was death of someone he seemed to know and the fear as he listened to the life of someone ebb away. He remembered being held tight but after that...

There was that dark abyss he's always lost in. Running his hand over his face, he covered the lower half and let out a quiet sigh. He did hope he hadn't woken Shadow. It was also too early to be making breakfast.