Break the Rules

#1

"Come on! It's gonna be fun!"
He sighed and hesitated.
"But it is forbidden. And there's a reason for it, we can't just leave the secure valley."
Ryan wasn't a boy to break rules, he believed in them and was also a bit afraid of the consequences.
Nero on the other hand didn't know such scruples. He was a real daredevil, always looking for an adventure to master.
Not sure about what to do, Ryan bit his lip. Then he played his last card:
"What about the humans?"
Normally he would win an argument about leaving with that question but not today. Today, Nero didn't shudder as usual. Instead he just shrugged.
"They can't be that bad. You remember the other day when we saw them? They didn't seem to be dangerous. They don't even have tails!"
Ryan stared at his friend in disbelief. Would he really put himself in such danger and ignore the stories of the elders?
"Okay, if you won't come with me, I'll go alone."
Apparently he would. Nero already turned and attempted to swim away when Ryan yelled: "Wait!" With one last look back at their hometown he followed the dark-haired lad who had a wide-spread grin plastered over his face.

About five sea miles later, Ryan forgot about his concerns. The sea world around him was full of colourful fish and Nero found every moment something new for Ryan to be stunned about. He felt himself relaxing listening to Nero re-telling all the incredible stories his grandfather told him about the ocean. And after a while they let themselves sink onto the ground, lying next to each other. Nero stared up to the surface and Ryan looked at Nero's profile. They were both sunken in their own thoughts when Nero suddenly sighed. Ryan wondered. What could he be thinking of? Was something bothering him? Ryan cared deeply about Nero. They have been best friends for as long as he could think, but his feelings were beyond that. Ryan accepted long ago that he fell in love with his best friend, but still, he would never show or admit that. Not only because he doubted Nero would feel the same way, but also because it was against the law. And Ryan was no one to break the rules.

Nero felt Ryan studying his face but didn't bother asking. He wouldn't get an honest answer anyways. Nero sighed, knowing that he should address that topic. It'd be best to do it out here with no one listening. Whirling up some sand and causing Ryan to rub his eyes he got up abruptly. Reaching out a hand to Ryan Nero asked: "Wanna get up to the surface? Might as well break some more rules." He smirked and looked through his long, wavy hair. Ryan never rejected him when he pulled that move. And he was right: Ryan took his hand and let Nero pull him up towards the surface. Neither of them broke contact. It made Ryan smile. Shortly before they reached what separated water from air, Ryan slowed down and forced Nero to stop. With a doubting look he asked: "You really want to break through that? There's no water, how are we supposed to breath?"
Nero simply laughed.
"We don't have to stay that long. Just don't breathe and then get back down."
And with that he broke through the surface. Ryan didn't follow, but Nero didn't care and adjusted his eyes to the air. It was an incredible view: for the first time ever he saw the sea and the waves from above. Far away at the horizon he could see actual land. The place where the humans live, a place completely above the water. It filled him with an unknown kind of fascination and his curiosity awoke. What are humans like? Are they really dangerous? A pull on his tail got him back into reality and he sunk back into the water. Realizing he hasn't breathed for quite some time he took in a fair amount of water to restore his oxygen reserves. Ryan looked at him reproachful.
"You stayed up there way to long! I bet you didn't even realize you were smothering."
It was the truth, though he was exaggerating. But Nero didn't like to be called out. He was about to say something mean in comeback but stopped when he saw the look on Ryan's face. The boy was seriously worried. Following a sudden instinct he hugged him, slightly brushing over his back and gills. Nero felt Ryan stiffen at the contact. With a stern expression Nero released his best friend.
"We have to talk."

Ryan fidgeted nervously with his fingers. He had never seen Nero so serious, so it must be something really important. What topic was he about to address, out here in the middle of nowhere? Nero paced back and forth, seemingly not knowing how to start.
"You remember Mitchell's party about three month ago?"
Ryan nodded slowly. Where was he heading?
"I mean, not all of it. I was pretty drunk and can't recall how I got home", Ryan added.
"Yeah, about that..."
Nero scratched his head.
"I led you home and you... you told me quite some stuff."
Fear shot through Ryan and he was terrified. He didn't... Did he?
Nero reached out a comforting hand and Ryan flinched at the movement.
"There's no reason to be afraid, Ryan. I don't judge you. As you probably assume, yes, you told me you're into guys."
Ryan was shaking.
"Did I... say something else?"
He was afraid of the answer.
Nero looked at him in silence for a moment and then said: "Nothing bad."
The true meaning behind this phrase didn't get to Ryan who just sighed in relief. So he didn't spill his greatest secret.
"But you did say something I was quite confused about. At least at first. That's why I am addressing this just now and not earlier, I first had to figure one thing out."
Nero looked straight at Ryan, who was in shock. He went on.
"It confused me because I liked the thought of it. But it stood in contrast to what I believed in before. And I have to add that the idea of giving in to that thought frightened me. Not just a bit, it scared the hell out of me."
Ryan felt the wildest mixture of emotions raging like a storm inside him: fear, love, irritation-and hope. What if...? Ryan did not allow himself to finish the question. When Nero swam closer Ryan held his breath.
"You told me you loved me."
Their eyes locked.
"Is that true?"
Ryan searched in Nero's eyes and when he couldn't find disgust or hate he nodded.
Nero's face lit up.
In the next second their lips crashed together.

It felt amazing. Nero had found himself thinking about kissing Ryan a lot in the past few weeks and it was even better than he imagined it to be. And after Ryan got over the shock he relaxed a bit. A shiver ran down Nero's spine when Ryan's hands found their way to the small of his back. Their kiss found a sudden end when they hit the ground. A chuckle left Nero's mouth and Ryan's face reddened as he looked away. Neither of them remembered to move their tails while kissing to stay up.
"And you... you really...", Ryan stuttered.
"Yes", Nero laughed. But he knew this wasn't enough for the younger boy, so he rolled over to face him and whispered: "I love you. And slowly I come to believe that I always did."
Ryan smiled and it made Nero feel warm inside. He loved to see that boy smile. His boy.