Noah's eyes went wide. He swallowed audibly. There was a long, long stretch of silence, and then:

"...wow."

"I'm sorry." Veli nuzzled carefully. Awww, poor Noah...

"Nn--s'just...wow..." Noah mused. The poor man was speechless. In awe, not quite angry, and speechless.

"Because I'm a halfbreed, my lifespan is shorter than the average merman." Veli said, curling up tighter. Awww, he'd made Noah angry...

"Nn, s'okay, just a whole lotta years for the likes'a me," Noah sighed, playing with Veli's hair again.

"Dad says it goes fast. He's... Middle aged, I think." Veli reached up and stroked his cheek. D'aaaw.

"Of course he does," Noah reasoned with a little laugh, "but I'm technically only supposed to live 30 more, max. More likely end-20."

"You're at a good point to pause at." Veli said, massaging his chest lightly.

"Awful. I'm middle-aged, just startin' t'fail." Noah chuckled and shook his head.

"But whatever. We should get married."

...what?!

"Mmm, but you're strong and sexy." Veli nuzzled.

"Get... Married...?"

"Yeah, yenno, like...rings and eternal love in the eyes of god, so on and so forth," Noah shrugged, "Granted, we'd have to go to MAssachusetts or..Canada. Or Ireland."

"Ireland's pretty this time of year." Veli mentioned. He'd been there. "It's been a while since I've been there or Canada."

Noah shrugged, "I can only take a day or two off from this job. Other than that restraint, it's all up to you."

Veli smiled, leaning up to kiss him. "It doesn't matter where or when. As long as you're mine, Noah."

Noah shrugged.

"Then maybe we don't have to do it at all. I ain't goin' nowhere.

"Of course you're not." Veli smiled, kissing his neck. "Where else would you find someone with my talents?"

"Brothel," Noah said seriously...but then just stated to laugh. Hey, at least he wasn't lying.

"But you're all I need."

"Psh, you gotta worry about icky human cooties there. Humans have some pretty gross cooties too." He kissed his neck and nuzzled. Mmm, Noah smell.

"Heeeeey..." Noah laughed, "They're no worse than yours!"

"Yeah, well, my cooties don't give you syphilis." Veli stuck out his tongue. "And Brothel broads can't talk to your fish for you."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah," Noah snorted, "Just for that, I'm getting revenge sex...when we're not both dying."

"As long as it's with me." Veli grinned, kissing. "You know I'll do anything for you with great enthusiasm."

Noah laughed. Hard.

"I'll take that as a promise!"

"Mmmm, Baby. S'more than a promise." Veli grinned and smooched him. "S'a vow."

Noah smiled, kissing his Veli gently.

"I love you."