Gian saw Alfie peering over his shoulder and he grinned at him. "My childhood friend, Johnny Red," he told him as he turned to look at Johnny, "And one I admire the most." Johnny's been there to welcome him in his home whenever he didn't want to come home. Their families were close and Johnny always was responsible to tell his parents that he was going to stay at Johnny's place. The only reason he'd run away, though, was because Johnny's family had moved and he didn't really have any place he could go after that.

Hebs welcomed the warm embrace. He also continued to soothingly rub his hand up and down the others' back while he relaxed against him. Of course, it wasn't hard to see the look on Shadow's face. After all, he was the most observant of them all. He may not be able to read minds like Shadow but he knew what was going on at least.

Kratos saw those weary, half-open eyes of Léan's and he lightly stroked his back with his thumb. "We'll leave," he told Shadow and the others. Walking off to the hallway to get to his room, he shut the door behind him with his foot and went to his bed to set Léan down first. He only pulled the merman close to him when he had laid on the bed. "Are you... okay?"

Johnny noticed how everyone seemed to be paired off. It had him raising an eyebrow just a tad. That, and he noticed how his head seemed to be pried at without his consent. It had him frowning towards Shadow's way. It was only that strange, looking but beautiful creature who was looking his way so intensely. "I certainly agree," he said as he brought up his hand to adjust his glasses and sighed. He will have to deal with the man's wrath later on though. Looks like he'll have to bring something blunt with him. That and he'll have to make sure that the older man wouldn't see what he'd be doing. "And, I'm glad to hear that."

Alfie rested his chin on Gian's shoulder, looking curious. "Oh? Hi, then," he greeted, seeming amicable. But he was still shielding himself behind Gian in case something went awry. He wasn't used to having to confront strangers outside of shows...so the feeling was odd for him. He glanced over in Shadow's direction, a grin on his face. He seemed to know exactly what Shadow was thinking...

Léan shifted a little closer to Kratos when he laid down, as well. "...I'm all right," he replied, softly, resting his head against the other's chest. He seemed almost too comfortable with Kratos. It was strange, how close he seemed to drift to him in the span of just a few days, especially when he'd been distant for so long. He appeared, now that Kratos had been taking the slight initiative with pursuing his feelings...to accept them.

...But was he really accepting them, or was he leading him on?

Shadow chuckled softly, giving Hebs a kiss on the cheek. "Can you do me a favor..." he whispered, in his ear, "...and take Gian and Alfie out swimming? That lawyer has a strange power...I want to see just how powerful it is..."

Kratos held Léan close and grunted. "That's good," he mumbled before he'd slid his hand up to have it rest on the back of the merman's head. Unlike a while ago, he pressed a long, lingering kiss on the top of the others' head and relaxed again. Kratos let his eyes slide shut to rest them. For some odd reason, even if he didn't do anything, he was tired.

Johnny turned to look at Alfie and he gave him a firm nod of greeting. He wasn't exactly one for saying hello or hi. Not even a hey or a good morning. Just a nod. Sometimes, that was what his clients hate about him and well, his parents. He wasn't exactly sure when he'd stopped saying a greeting. Reaching up to take his glasses off, he took a soft cloth from his pocket and wiped the lenses before putting them on. "How long have yo been with them, Gian?" he asked the younger man. He was obviously fond of him. It wasn't hard to see with the way he talked to him and ruffled that hair of his. "How are things with your old woman?"

Gian's smile brightened up again at the first question. "A month now," he told him as he nodded, "And I'm loving them every day." That reply earned a small, gentle smile on Johnny's lips. Apparently, only the brown-haired kid can do that to him. But, when he'd seen him looking forlorn at his next question, he lost the said smile. "Don't bother answering it." He reached out to ruffle his hair and turned to look at Alfie who was resting that chin of his on Gian's shoulder. On a closer look, he was handsome but the tail he had and which he could see was greatly disturbing. Actually, Léan's tail was pretty disturbing too. The fact, too, that the merman was a very pretty thing.

Hebs nodded at that. "Try and not get yourself killed, Shadow," he said with a little chuckle before he'd patted his back and went to where Alfie and Gian were. "Do you guys want to swim?" Gian looked thankful to Hebs for saving him from an awkward moment. If anything, he really disliked having to talk about his family. It wasn't that he didn't like them, it's just... hard to want to remember something that brought nothing but pain - mentally and physically. "C'mon, Alfie," he took Alfie's hand and grinned brightly. He also took Hebs to lead them out of the place, leaving both Johnny and Shadow alone.

Johnny supposed he had said or asked something he shouldn't have. He'd have to apologize soon. But for now... He looked at the time in his wristwatch and pursed his lips a little. He only had a few more hours. He needed to pass by his hotel, too, to get his briefcase where the cases are and drive all the way to the airport. "I suppose I should take my leave," he said as he turned to look at Shadow. He seemed unaffected at all by his beauty. Though, he did agree the man was by far the most beautiful he'd seen so far. "I've finished my job here and I need to see where Mr. McCain had gone to. If you will excuse me."

Léan's weariness suddenly vanished. It was replaced with clear confusion, and then a determined sort of look. He had to speak...he had to speak now, before he lost his nerve. He nudged Kratos in the neck to get his attention, and then rested his hand on the side of his neck, looking clearly puzzled.

"...Do all of your strange little kisses mean something, or I am getting the wrong idea?" he demanded, bluntly. His voice kind of died out at the end, and a little blush accompanied his words.

Alfie seemed excited at the notion of going out to swim, and escaping this awkward situation. Like Gian, the naga did not care for awkward situations unless they were funny or sexual, and this was neither. He had roared with laughter when one day, Shadow fell into the merman's tank while he was nearby to see and the two had gone tumbling to the bottom of the tank. It was one of the only times that he had seen Léan bite Shadow in a serious manner, and openly blush about what had happened.

He clutched Gian's hand tightly as Hebs led them outside. He broke away from the two of them once they were outside of that tension-wrought room, and he sped down as fast as he could slither towards the water. "I'm going to be the first in!" he declared, firmly. He always had an advantage because he was never clothed...

Shadow smiled slightly at the new male, but cleared his throat. "...I'd appreciate if you lingered for a few moments. I have something to say to you," he managed, finally, folding his arms across his chest. He took a step forward, looking intrigued. "I know what you can do," he admitted, simply. "I know about your power. If you haven't already noticed, I can read minds. ...I am aware you have a job to do. But...how would you feel about sticking around for a while?"

He scratched at the back of his head. "...If you have any expenses needed for doing cases long distance, I have a near-unlimited amount of funds. I can pay for it."

Kratos grunted a little at the nudge in his neck. He was just about to open his mouth to tell the merman off when he'd heard that question. It was enough to have him snapping his eyes open to look at Léan. When he'd seen the blush on the others' cheeks, he, too, found himself in a similar situation. This was rather awkward. Looking off to the side and pursing his lips a little, he idly wondered how he'd be approaching such a question.

"S-Strange?" he started, unaware he'd stuttered. The hand that had been resting on the back of the merman's head had moved down to rest on his shoulderblade. "Wh-What do you mean strange?"

Gian let out a short, "Hey!" when Alfie had went on ahead. He laughed along with Hebs and quickly stripped down to his pants. He wasn't exactly wearing any underwear underneath and he wouldn't want to freak out the public in case anyone was in the beach. Running to the ocean, he dove in and chased after Alfie. Hebs picked up Gian's shirt and slung it over his shoulder as he chuckled at the two. They really were an energetic pair, the both fo them.

Sitting on the sand, he stretched his legs out and put his hands on the sand just a little behind him. He tilted his head a bit and smiled as he watched the two. Gian had definitely fit right in after a few months. He really was something. It's too bad, though, he isn't a freak. Not that he'd mind that, that is. Sure must be nice to be human though.

Johnny turned to look at Shadow when he was asked to stay for a few. It had him raising an eyebrow when he'd heard him admit that he knew what he could do. Did he really? When he'd heard his next words, his eyes widened and his mind had instantly put on a wall. It was by reflex, apparently and he gave the other a wary gaze. "I'm not exactly poor myself, Mr. Shadow, was it?" He gave him a polite smile. "And, I don't believe I know what you're talking about about what I can do. Unless you mean my legal practice."

"...I mean...you've never expressed open interest in me before," the siren grunted, looking off to the side. He wouldn't look at Kratos--he was far too embarrassed. And he just hated being embarrassed. He shifted where he was laying, slightly, to give him some space to think. The space wasn't doing him any favors right now anyway, considering they were both embarrassed beyond belief. "And you've never...kissed me anywhere...before..." he forced out, the blush darkening a little bit.

Alfie was the first one in, of course. He had already rolled around in the water a few times and gotten himself completely wet by the time Gian joined him. Alfie gave him a good chase, able to slip away quite a few times when the human got too close. Eventually, though, he tired out and let Gian catch him, a big grin on his face.

Shadow chuckled, good-naturedly. "We are alone. You don't have to hide your powers from me," he replied, simply. "I know what you can do. Don't lie to me. I have a feeling you would belong better among us, with what you can do, and you won't have to hide it anymore..."

He backed away, to give the other man some space--he looked like he needed it. "...By the by, please don't call me Mr. anything," he added, looking mournful. "It makes me feel older than I already am. And trust me, I'm old..."

Kratos supposed that was true. He had never shown any interest on Léan at all. This would probably be the first few times after Shadow had pointedly told him about it. With the fallen angel, he really couldn't hide anything. "Well," he started, looking very red as he grunted. He hated having to get into such situations really and he had to keep himself from stuttering. "I-I... do." Slowly, he turned to look at the merman and when he saw the others' dark blush, he couldn't help but look elsewhere again and use his free hand to have his arm over his eyes.

The moment Gian had finally caught Alfie, the teen scowled and pushed Alfie into the water. He kissed him while they were underwater and he quickly brought them up to the surface to grin at him. "You really shouldn't run away. You know how you love being caught by me anyway." The teen laughed as he purposely slid his arms around Alfie's waist and snuggled up to him while he kept them afloat. Despite Alfie being a cold creature, he was the warmest he'd met other than Johnny that is. He liked him. He liked his company a lot.

Johnny appreciated the fact that Shadow had stepped back to give him some space. Honestly, he didn't like where this was leading to and he was just about to open his mouth to speak when he'd heard what he had to say. It had him blinking. "How old are you exactly?" he asked before he'd frowned again. "And, I don't belong anywhere else but in court. I'm sorry but if that is all, I have to leave. The office doesn't exactly want a man practicing law coming later than their clients."

Léan's blush, if it was even possible, darkened even more. He couldn't bring himself to speak--he didn't trust himself to speak, not at all. When he tried to, at first, only a breath of choked air came out. He looked away, shoulders rising up to his chin. He looked strange at the moment, with the blush creeping down his neck and approaching his collarbone. Like a fish with a great red head. After a few long moments, he cleared his throat and glanced down, then up at Kratos' face. "...Oh," was all he could manage. There were the hints of a responding confirmation, perhaps an 'I do, too,' lingering on his face, but he couldn't force the words out of his stubborn throat.

Alfie seemed amused by the kiss, and he happily cuddled close to Gian. "Mm-hm. Sure..." He buried his head in the crook of the other's neck, sighing softly. "...I think Shadow sees something in your friend," he piped up, suddenly. "He doesn't usually react like that unless he senses or knows that someone has a strange ability. He was able to sense Kratos' ability right away, without him even saying anything about it..."

"...Old enough..." Shadow's bottom lip stuck out a little bit before he pulled it back in, and his gentlemanly smile returned. "...I didn't say you didn't belong in court. I'm merely suggesting that you belong somewhere else, as well. And...I think it would do Gian good to have you with us," he tacked on, honestly.

Kratos had turned to look at Léan when he'd spoken and he looked away for a second or two before he'd pulled Léan closer. He pulled him up to have the upper part of his body rest against him and rested his hand on the back of his head. His other hand moved to rest gently on his back. "Go to sleep," he mumbled, not really wanting to deal with this now. He was too embarrassed and honestly, he'd do anything to get off of the embarrassment. Now that he had told Léan how he felt, he wasn't sure about what to do.

The Life Man hadn't really gotten himself into such a situation until now.

Gian welcomed the cuddling from the naga and he shivered slightly at his breath on his wet skin. "Oh?" he asked, looking obviously surprised. But, Johnny was normal. At least, he always thought of him as normal. "He's human, though. What do you mean by a strange ability? Like what?" Even though he was sure Alfie didn't have the answer to that, he still wanted to know. It's been a while, after all, since he had had the comfort of Johnny's company.

"I'm assuming you're saying that 'somewhere else' is here with you guys," he stated bluntly, the frown still marred on his features. He pursed his lips and thought about it. If he stayed, he could take care of Gian again like the old days. Though, did he really need taking care of? He seemed to have found himself a love with his stay here. "Do I get to open up my own law firm with you lot?" He was greatly considering it especially in terms of money. It took a lot to open a law firm and he's actually saving up for one. He needed to finish his contract with the office, though, if he ever decides to leave.

Léan squeaked slightly when he was tugged closer, and he settled uncertainly into the embrace. However, it looked like there was no way he was going to settle down...if the movements of his tail, rapidly swishing back and forth below them no matter how hard he tried to control its movements, and the tension in his muscles were taken into consideration. He sniffed slightly, trying to settle down desperately. But it looked like he wasn't going to...

He swallowed his doubts and rested his head against Kratos, closing his eyes. He, too, did not want to deal with this right now. But he figured it was either now or later, and he wouldn't feel any better about it later. He knew that. "...What...if I do, too?" he retorted, his voice a quiet, uncertain whisper.

Alfie cuddled the human closely, a smile on his face. "...Well, it's obviously something that's not visible, like Shadow's own power, or Kratos' power..." he hummed, allowing his eyelids to drift closed. "Maybe something mental? I don't know for sure. We'll have to talk to Shadow..."

"...Of course you do, if that is what you wish," Shadow informed him, with a curt nod. "I have no problem helping you fund it. We may, however, become a traveling show at some point. I suppose that will help you reach out to more clients. And I am more than willing to pay for long-distance phone calls and the like..." He did, after all, have a fortune of wealth. The entrance fees for their shows were usually not cheap, either...

"But..." Shadow studied him closely, "...you are going to have to reveal that power of yours. And practice with it."

Kratos' eyes opened again and he looked down at Léan. Was he... serious? The others' tail rapidly swishing back and forth like that made him purse his lips and he let his fingers run through those strands. Letting his chin rest on Léan's head, he let his eyes slide shut. His heart was oddly beating hard against his chest. It looked like his heart had decided to be human. "I..." The male trailed off and felt his cheeks burn again.

"I'll be happy."

Gian moved his arms to wrap them around Alfie's shoulders. Letting his fingers play with his wet hair, he frowned for a second or two. Mental? "That just makes me curious." And it really did. He had, after all, known Johnny for a while. How come he didn't know anything about this power of his? Whatever it was?

Johnny looked thoughtful. The frown, at least, had gone for now. Crossing his arms over his chest, he thought about it silently and nodded. "I should be back in a month then," he started before he'd held out his hand to Shadow for a handshake. While he was at that, too, he had carefully lifted the document and the plastic bag to bring it towards them with his mind. Rolling up the long document and putting it back into the plastic bag, it could be seen floating off towards the lawyer as he took it with his free hand and held it out to Shadow as well.

"And I've perfected it to its full extent." He smiled at Shadow. "Though, I'm wary about revealing my power. Perhaps I could wear a mask like you'd often do in your shows?"

Léan made a soft cooing noise--it was an affectionate noise, and not one he made very often. His tail did not still, not in the least. "...Then...I do," he murmured, as a quiet reply. He raised one of his hands up to rest on Kratos' arm, gently, and he brought the other arm up and around him in a loose, hesitant sort of embrace. He felt much braver after knowing now that that man was not going to come back for him, and hurt him again, it seemed...

Alfie turned a little bit to grace Gian with a kiss on the jaw, a smile on his face. "...Well...maybe you can talk to him. Even if he's not going to join us right away if he does decide to do so...Shadow will ask for a phone number, and give him his phone number. He does own a cell phone, by the way. But I believe someone had to show him how to use it at first, and he doesn't use it at all unless he has to." He grinned, amused. "He's like an old man. A really dirty old man..."

"Very well." Shadow took the document, back in its plastic bag, and held it with delicate care. "There is no way to perfect one's abilities...there is only room to improve," Shadow replied, simply. "You are free to wear masks of mine, as long as you don't damage them. Do you have any paper on you? Seeing as you won't know our location, once we return home...exchanging phone numbers might be a good idea."

Léan surely didn't know how happy he was when he had said that. Kratos shifted a little to close whatever distance they had and smiled - a really happy smile. It was odd to see it on his usual scorn-adorned face. Hell, it might even give Hebs a heart attack if he saw it. "Go to sleep," he murmured, grunting a little and mostly doing that out of embarrassment. He did like Léan. Very much so. Letting his eyes slide shut again, he finally relaxed and succumbed to sleep despite that tail moving around and about like it had no care in the world.

The kiss on his jaw made him blink and he smiled as he nuzzled Alfie. When he'd heard what he'd said, he gave a little nod and nipped lightly at the side of his neck. "Is he really that dirty?" he asked, blinking just a tad. Though he was well aware that Shadow can hear their conversation even though he was in the house. Hell, probably when they made out in Alfie's room that one time out of curiosity, Shadow was listening in on them. At least, that was the image he was getting with the word 'dirty' being associated with the ringleader.

"That's true. That's also very kind of you," he replied with a nod. But, he had perfected it and experimented. Hell, he's made quite some moves that even other people with psychokinesis in their times didn't have. "And, ah. Yes." Reaching into his back pocket for the small box of his business cards, he got one and held it out to Shadow before he'd tucked it back into his pocket. "I have my phone number, e-mail, and cellular phone number in it. There's also the address of the office I'm currently working in." Johnny held out his hand for a handshake and smiled, yet again. "It's been a pleasure meeting and talking with you, Shadow."

Léan grunted as well, seeming to lose that bit of courage he'd gained when Kratos reacted like that, with that big, happy smile. His cheeks were the color of tomatoes. He settled down, forcing his tail to still at least a little bit so he could fully relax. When he did finally relax, he suddenly remembered how tired he was. He slumped over a little and cuddled up against Kratos, also drifting off to sleep.

Alfie snickered. "...Oh, yes. He knows everything that goes on in our home...he knows when you're horny, he knows when you're reading or looking at something you shouldn't be...he even knows when people close by are thinking such things. And he deliberately looks for dirty thoughts, too."

Shadow reached out, slowly, and shook the lawyer's hand. He usually hated shaking peoples' hands, mostly because he didn't know exactly where they had been in the past few hours. But he decided to let it slide for right now, as he slid the business card into his back pocket. He would have to make sure he didn't lose the card--it was most likely his only way to contact Johnny. "The pleasure is mine."

Gian felt his cheeks burn at that thought. "No wonder he's always... needing it," he started before he'd shuddered slightly at the thought. Deliberately looking for dirty thoughts is something not a normal human being would do not unless they were wanting nothing but it. "He always catches you?" he asked as he pulled his head back a bit to look at Alfie with a playful grin on his lips.

Johnny saw the slight distaste on Shadow's face and he made sure to tighten his hold on the beautiful man's hand before he'd let go. "Do tell Gian to call me any time he wants to. Thank you again, Shadow." And, with that, he left.

Hebs had seen Johnny leave and he turned to look back at Gian. How long had Johnny and Gian known each other? They seemed to be comfortable with each other. It made him tilt his head a bit. To him, too, Johnny and Gian seemed to look like... siblings despite not being related by blood.

"...Oh, yes. He's caught me more than once, purposely, and kindly asked me not to do anything to myself unless I was going to do a good job of it."Alfie went pink in the cheeks. "I'm telling you, he doesn't miss anything. I doubt he's missing this conversation right now because of its nature..."

Shadow, indeed, was absently listening in on their conversation, and he felt oddly proud of himself...

He gave a nod to Johnny as he left, and then he glanced outside to meet Hebs' eyes. He seemed like he was in a good mood, despite all that had just happened. Plus, he'd heard what Kratos and his dear merman had had to say to each other. He locked the door behind Johnny and then made his way outside to the beach, to join the other three.

"I wonder... how will Shadow react if I talk to you about an orgy?" He had purposely whispered the last few words into Alfie's ear as his thumb lightly stroked the nape of Alfie's neck. Pulling his head back a bit, he grinned at Alfie and leaned in to take those lips into a light, lingering kiss. "You think he'd want to join in with Hebs?"

Hebs turned to look at Shadow when he was close enough and he smiled at him. "Good to see you haven't gotten yourself killed," he started before he'd moved his gaze back to Alfie and Gian. "How'd things go?"

"Probably very well..." Alfie responded, in a low voice. He accepted Gian's kiss, tugging the human's body a little closer to him. "I think he wouldn't mind joining in...but I doubt he'd have an easy time convincing Hebs. After all, Hebs doesn't usually go for that kind of thing..."

Shadow was still listening in on their conversation, and he quirked a brow in their direction before he returned his attention to Hebs, attentively. "He can move objects with his mind," Shadow informed him, simply. "He has agreed to join us, but in a month's time, and he wants to remain in disguise. I have no problem with that--I stay in disguise during shows."

Gian tightened his hold around Alfie and nodded at that. He supposed. Hebs was pretty one righteous man. If anything, he could be one person he could compare with Johnny. Letting his fingers run through Alfie's wet hair again, he resumed their kissing session. He was quite enjoying the way the water was brushing up against his skin and his pants floating about and often caressing his legs. That, and Alfie's lips were very... comforting.

Hebs turned to look again at Shadow and raised his eyebrows a little. "Really?" he asked as he smiled, "That's an interesting power." Everything was interesting to Hebs since he can't really do much. "And why in a month?"

Alfie did not mind kissing Gian--hell, he didn't mind kissing anyone, really. But having someone to cuddle up to and share nice, affectionate kisses with was comforting...and he had to admit, he wouldn't mind doing this more than once a day with the human. His tail was slowly curling up and around Gian's back, unknowingly. He couldn't control his tail sometimes.

"I suppose it is," Shadow commented, offhandedly. "I'm assuming he has some business to take care of before he quits his current job and comes to stay with us. I promised him the chance to run his own business while he's here with us, so he can continued doing what he likes. I have no problem with that, of course...I am just hoping his staying here will not have a bad effect on...that."

He cast a pointed glance out towards the sea, where he could just make out Gian and Alfie cuddling, and kissing.

Hebs got up to his feet and dusted his back for any sand before he'd turned to look back at Gian and Alfie who were too close to each other for comfort. "How's that going to have a bad effect on his line of work?" he asked as he made a face, "And those two better get a room or at least... hide themselves." The snake teen brought up a hand to have it run through his hair before he'd rubbed the back of his neck.

"Though, I don't think you'd mind. You're actually enjoying watching them, aren't you, Shadow?"

Shadow chuckled softly, his eyes glued to the pair in the ocean. "...Not on his line of work. I mean that. Out there. That tangled mess of tail and limbs," he corrected, looking amused. "I do not know if Gian is aware of it, but I do believe Alfie holds some feelings for him. If things were to change because of this new boy coming here...I do not think it would be good for Alfie."

He reached over and ruffled Hebs' hair purposefully, noting he had a few grains of sand stuck in it.

Hebs had quickly turned to look at Shadow with his eyes widening just a tad. He turned his attention back at Alfie and Gian before he'd slid his hands into the pockets of his shorts. "I don't think Gian's that type," he started, his eye sliding shut at the ruffle to his hair. "Thanks... and, Gian seemed to like Alfie very much. With the way he's acting around him."

"Yes, but...I don't know if Gian's aware of Alfie's feelings. Or if he even knows that if he doesn't have feelings, he's leading him on..." Shadow could tell that there was just a bit of conflict in Gian's mind about having feelings for Alfie, of course...but he would have to study his thoughts a little more closely to find out if he did or not.

"...Shall we go inside? I'll get too distracted, watching them like that..." he murmured, eyes drifting out towards the sea again.

Hebs still didn't see Gian as such but he supposed they'd just give it time. Laughing lightly at the ringleader's words, he put his hand on his back and urged him to go on ahead. "Distracted how?" he asked, almost teasingly before he'd smiled in amusement. Pulling the shirt of Gian off from his shoulder, he held it in his one hand and kept his other resting on Shadow's back.<br>