((Did you get my post before this about Archie?))

Léan leaned in and kissed her cheek. "You know it is too soon. Far too soon, especially since we have just decided to settle down. Once we are fully settled...I do not think I would mind," he assured her, smiling.

((oops. Missed it.))

Emy looked up at him, with a sort of vulnerable look in her eyes. "I know...I'm sorry. It just sort of...I don't know...gave me a strange feeling." A bad one in fact. "I just want to know...if you want to or not....not whether or not you mind."

Monty liked holding Archie in his arms, especially since it made him feel better. A strange, nice feeling thrill went through him as he watched him.

Léan nuzzled her neck, very gently. "...Once we are settled down...we will talk. It works a little differently than it does on land."

Archie looked up at him. There was a certain charge to the water around him. He couldn't quite place its origin, but it was a nice feeling, being held like this.

Emy loved the feeling the nuzzling gave her, she closed her eyes gently and let out a small breath. "I trust you....so I'll let you decide...ok?" She meant on when he explained things to her, she relied on him...more than he could know.

Monty noticed the temperture change as well, it felt nice, but it peaked his interest. He smiled softly down at Archie when he looked at him. "Sorry for staring..."

Léan nodded, resting their heads together affectionately. For a few long moments, he was still, just holding her and enjoying her company. "...Should we head back?" he asked, finally.

"O-oh...it's...it's okay..." The stutter...why was he stuttering? Archie didn't understand that, either. He let it go, not really wanting to think about it right now.

Emy did enjoy their moments alone...any time alone felt great to her. She nodded slightly when he mentioned going back. "If you want to..."

Monty thought the stuttering was exceptionally adorable, making him smile big, but without teeth. "Are you sure?"

"...Or...we could rest for a while, just the two of us..." Léan backpedaled, contently. He didn't want to spend too much time away from the main part of their territory, lest Monty get any ideas.

"Y-Yeah..." Archie replied. Yet again not sure what he was even agreeing to. His mind was just drawing all sorts of blanks...

Emy looked at him, slightly confused, then just leaned against him a little. "I'll do whatever you wish...either is fine as long as I'm with you..."

Monty just looked back at him with a grin for a moment, then chuckled a little. "You just agreed that I am allowed to stare at you....you know that right?"

Léan nodded, and he sank down onto the soft sand below them, liking that the seaweed was surrounding them. He curled up with her, to rest for a while.

Archie flushed a bright shade of pink. "U...um...I..." He fell silent then, feeling like an idiot for stuttering so much.

Emy was happier than earlier, glad he decided to stay with her rather than head back. She liked being alone with him, it gave her a warm feeling. "I love you." She said softly as she cuddled up against him softly. At that moment, she didn't mind if he said it back or not. She'd accepted the fact that he needed time.

Monty laughed softly after a moment. "Hey...don't be so embarrased or anythin. I'm just messin with you...ok? Besides...I think your stuttering is cute." He realized what he'd said and froze for a moment before tensing slightly.

Léan knew he couldn't say it just yet. He needed a bit more time, and needed to spend much more time with her alone. He simply curled up with her, kissing her neck apologetically.

Archie froze as well, staring up at him with semi-widened eyes. No...way, way too soon after losing a mate to be flirting...

He swallowed thickly, and then lowered his eyes, debating quietly.

Emy knew what the response would be, but she still felt slightly down about it. She nuzzled his neck gently in return and whispered softly. "I understand." She suddenly felt very tired though, closing her eyes heavily.

Monty knew what he'd done....even all the things that led up to that one comment. He felt dreadful....horrid. He'd just flirted with a man who was greiving over a lost mate....how cruel could he be? His arms slowly loosened from around Archie, debating whether or not to let go all the way. "I'm...sorry...I really am..." Guilt filled his voice, as well as another emotion, more like a self-punishment sort of thing.

Léan cuddled more with her, wrapping his tail around hers affectionately, and closed his eyes. "Thank you..." he whispered in response, voice fading. He wanted to nap, quite badly.

The moment Archie felt Monty's grip loosen from around him, he reached up, clinging tightly to him. He didn't say anything. He couldn't--he didn't know what to say. All he wanted to do was be held, and to relax for a few hours...possibly take a nap somewhere in private.

Emy just couldn't help but smile softly. "Sleep, love..."

Monty blinked, then slowly tightened his grip again. "You can sleep if you're tired."

Léan nodded in response, and then he was off, contently drifting off into his own personal dreamland. He was tuckered out from their activities.

"I...can't sleep out in the open..." Archie whispered, frightened. "I need to be in a cave...or something..."

Emy smiled softly and watched him sleep for awhile, before slipping off herself.

Monty nodded slightly, then sort of picked him up and started towards the cave he'd found. "It may be a little snug. You ok with that?"

Léan managed to sleep soundly. Even the slight issues they had had after their loving didn't chase away good dreams. He was aware that a serious conversation was needed in order for them to progress in their relationship...he wasn't looking forward to that. He hated long, serious talks.

Archie clung to him, startled by the sudden movement. "...Yes..."

Emy undoubtedly dreamed of having a family with Leandre....one better and more complete than her own had been.

Monty smiled softly and nodded, soon getting to the cave and settling down in it. "This ok?" There was just enough room for the both of them and a little to move around in.

Léan's apprehensive nature did not allow him to dream of such things. He had never had a wonderful family structure in his life. And he did not know how to be a good father. There was also one more thing he had yet to tell Emy about how reproduction worked between merpeople and changed humans.

Archie nodded, settling down and shifting until he was comfortable. He laid his head down, eyes closing. He was ready to get to sleep right away.

There were spots...almost glitches in Emy's dream though. Many things didn't add up and it began to falter after not too long of a time.

Monty wanted so bad to hold him while he slept, but he thought that may be going too far. So, he just laid next to him and sort of watched him.