Under the Siren's Spell
Chapter 25:
"Human Cruelty"
☠︎
Ethan
I wake up tangled with Charlie, my favorite place to be. Remembering yesterday's events leaves me feeling ill. I hate to imagine what Tony must have done to Ryder.
It hurts. It hurts that I wasn't there to help him. It hurts even more knowing I was the one who inadvertently pushed him to run away with Tony. He wanted to prove himself to me, to prove that he could do something useful. I should've never made him feel useless in the first place.
"Ethan?" Charlie mumbles tiredly, rubbing his face against my neck.
"Morning, baby." I hold him close, his touch soothing me.
"Toby's telling me to wake up. Tony apparently wants breakfast and Toby doesn't know what a cook is." Charlie laughs. "I still don't even know."
"Screw him, he can eat bread and fruit like the rest of us." I grumble.
"I want to learn how to cook for you too." Charlie says innocently.
I look at him and cave. "Alright, I'll show you." I help dress him like the other day.
"Yay!" Charlie cheers as a knock sounds at the door.
"Come in!" I call.
Toby jumps into the bed. "What is the cook?"
I chuckle. "You'll see, come on. We have to make fire so where's the best place to do that?"
Charlie gets up and stretches. "How do we not catch the whole ship on fire?"
"Usually we humans have a kitchen for this. Do you have rocks? A tarp?"
"Uuuuuuuuh, I th-think so..." Toby bites his lip.
"That'll work then. Or we can dock." I shrug. "Where's your pet oaf?" I ask Toby and Tony leans his head in the door.
"Here."
I pout. "Great."
"We could dock..." Charlie says and Toby returns to Tony, looking up at him. "Maybe someone could learn to build one of these 'kitchens' you speak of."
"If you want. We'll need something to cook, how do you fish? We use nets."
Toby and Charlie wiggle their fingers.
"With our bare hands and tridents." Charlie grins.
Tony huffs. "Our way sounds much more efficient."
"But we'll get to see their tails." I rub Charlie's legs.
"Mmm, yeah." He shivers.
"Charlie can just a-ask, and sometimes they come." Toby laughs.
"They'll sacrifice themselves to you?" Tony laughs.
"It'd be an honor." I whisper, eyes locked on Charlie's.
"Thank you. Nets are very bad for the ocean." Charlie wraps his arms around my neck.
"So, you three get the fish, I'll dock the boat." Tony says and I shake my head.
"Fuck no. Ry and Xander can dock the boat. You don't get any control."
"I mean, I can dock the boat while fishing. If you haven't noticed, there's rarely someone at the mast. I'm pretty much always moving the ship," Charlie explains.
"That's so cool." I look around.
Toby gets excited. "That means you can swim with us, T-Tony."
Tony nods and pulls Toby against him. "Sounds fun."
I pout more.
"Babe, what's wrong?" Charlie kisses me.
"He doesn't deserve to see your tail."
"You'll see each other's dicks too." Charlie laughs.
"Already seen it plenty." Tony chuckles. "We weren't shy on our ship."
"You weren't shy." I correct. "And you and O'Malley kept pulling my fuckin' pants down!"
Tony howls with laughter. "That was hilarious."
Charlie grabs my dick territorially with a giggle. "Too bad it's mine now."
"Charlie." I lean into him. Even just a simple touch is electrifying.
"Keep it, I don't want it." Tony makes a disgusted face.
"Tony's is really big." Toby covers his face.
"Sure is." Tony pulls the blond's ass against his crotch.
"It feels prettygoodthough." Toby squeaks.
"My pure boy has been tainted." Charlie cries.
"His virginity is forever mine." Tony smirks and I frown.
"Yeah, you love fucking virgins cause they don't know how shit you treat them. It's not supposed to hurt, you know." I snap.
Toby cocks his head to the side. "It didn't hurt that bad. It was just a little sore."
"I was gentle with him. I actually care about Toby." Tony says.
"You didn't care about anyone else." I mumble.
Toby looks confused, but shakes it off. "Will we explore the land? I want t-to find some... some be...bears."
My eyes widen. "Bears?!"
"Sure." Tony pats Toby on the back. "We'll look for some."
Toby bounces. "All of the cuddles. Ethan, h-have you ever hugged one?"
"No, bears don't hug." I tell him.
"Maybe I'll be special."
"What are the bears?" Charlie asks.
"They're giant, furry beasts with claws. They're stronger than any man. They're usually peaceful unless you threaten them or their home and cubs." I explain.
"What're c-cubs?" Toby tugs on Tony's shirt.
"Baby bears." He answers.
"Woah." Toby looks like he's in heaven.
"You'd be a cub, Toby." Tony smirks and ruffles the blond's hair.
"Why?"
"'Cause I'm your daddy." Tony smirks.
"That's gross." I deadpan.
"It is?" Toby asks. "Am I not supposed to call him D-Daddy?"
I sigh. "Do you like to? Does it make you feel good?"
"Hmm." He thinks. "Yes."
"Then you keep calling him that. It's just not my thing." I look at Charlie.
"That's because I'm Daddy." Charlie laughs evilly.
I climb over him. "Mm, you sure about that?"
"Are you going to do the sex?" Toby asks.
"I wish." I peck Charlie's lips. "but I already promised to cook."
"You promised your father." Charlie laughs and Toby starts stripping Tony down, causing Charlie to gasp.
"You're so weird." I laugh then cover his eyes.
"We have to get naked," Toby states. "Charlie, why is Ethan covering your e-eyes?"
"Humans are more... modest." I slowly uncover his eyes. Hopefully he doesn't think my package is... inadequate.
Charlie's mouth falls open. "Why is his reproductive organ so big?! It's scary!"
Tony wiggles it.
"Definitely scary." I agree, trying not to imagine that thing inside my brother. I stand, revealing myself to Toby and pick Charlie up.
Toby giggles. "You have a cute butt, Ethan."
"Thanks." I blush and Tony grunts.
Charlie looks to me. "Am I allowed to get undressed?" He whispers.
I glare at Tony. "I guess. He doesn't deserve to look upon your body." I trail my hands down his back and over his ass. "You're mine."
Toby bites his lip nervously and looks down at his own body before pulling Tony out with him.
I slowly undress Charlie, taking care of his clothes.
"I think he's scared that Tony will like me." Charlie massages me.
"How could anyone not?" I whisper and kiss his neck.
Charlie puts on a purple robe before giving me a black one. "I'll just keep this on until I turn my legs into a tail."
"Okay." I kiss him one more time before taking his hand and leaving the room to see that Tony has undressed Toby and has his front pressed against his own.
Charlie looks troubled and squeezes my hand. "Ready?"
"Mhm." Toby hides his blue face.
The prince takes us to the side of the boat and helps me into one of the lifeboats and sits in my lap.
"Will we get to try out the trident?" Tony asks, helping Toby in.
"You can try mine," Toby whispers, holding out what looks like a miniature fork.
Tony grabs it and twirls it. "Interesting."
"W-Woah, careful with that!" He shouts before it elongates and almost stabs the poor blond's eye out.
Tony laughs and twirls it more. "Don't trust me?"
"You didn't know it'd grow!"
"Ain't the only thing that grows." Tony winks and I grab the trident and yank it out of his hand.
"Can you not?"
Toby takes it back and has it collapse.
Charlie hands me his sword. "Here. You can use mine."
"Really?" I hold it firmly, feeling once again unworthy.
"Yes. You're my king."
"I don't think I've fully grasped what that entails." I admit and test the balance as we hit the water.
"A lot." He kisses me. "Like a baby~"
"You can't make a baby." Tony laughs.
"We can." I tell him and leave him looking confused.
"Yeah! We entwine our legs and a bright light will come. Then, if we're lucky, an egg will come." Toby says dreamily.
"An...egg..." Tony looks weirded out. "Well, if that's what you want, Dechart."
"I want it too." Toby pokes Tony.
Charlie grins at me. "Hatching an egg is fun!"
"You want a lot of things, guppy." Tony rubs Toby's head.
Toby giggles. "We'd have pretty babies."
Charlie kisses me. "We'll make the best babies."
I nod. "Absolutely."
Charlie bites his lip. "Will you take care of us after we turn back?"
"Yes, baby." I promise. "I'll take care of you too, Toby."
"I can handle him just fine." Tony growls and I just shrug.
"You don't have a good track record when it comes to helping people."
We look into each other's eyes and I'm forced to remember every time he's saved my life. I'm sure he's seeing the same memories when we both look away and say nothing.
Charlie moves and has me hold his hips as he dips his legs in the water, the transformation taking place before he removes our robes.
"Wow," Tony gasps.
I slip into the water with Charlie and take him in, my conscience slipping. "So beautiful." I whisper, hands finding their place on his hips where skin meets scales.
"Thank you. So are you," he whispers back, letting some of his siren side slip in to lessen the need to hear it.
I hum gratefully and work on keeping myself afloat.
"You ready, Toby?" Tony asks, helping him into the water.
"Yeah," he says, his eyes closing as his legs change into a silver tail. "To give you air, it's kind of l-like k-kiss...ing. Do I have your consent?" Big brown eyes meet green ones and Charlie kisses my forehead and suddenly, it's easier to stay afloat.
"Yes." Tony replies and leans over the boat.
Toby breathes into him, pulling him off the boat and underwater while doing so.
Charlie grins and pulls us deep before doing the same, taking longer than necessary before releasing me.
I smile and ready his sword. "Let's catch some fish."
• ♆ • ☠︎ • Ψ • ⚔︎ •
"Are you sure you all want to go on land? Without me?" Xander asks, holding Ryder's hands.
Charlie adjusts his shirt. "Yes. Ethan will have my back."
"But Toby—he always gets overwhelmed on land."
"I-I'll be okay, Xan..." Toby says quietly.
"He came on land with me, he was fine." Tony grunts.
Ryder narrows his eyes before looking worriedly at Toby.
"I-Is there anything you'd like us to pick up?" Toby asks.
I go over and separate Toby from Tony. "Are you sure you'll be okay?"
"I-I... I think so. It's hard to tell." He looks away. "But you all will help me."
"We will." I promise him and squeeze his hands before going back to Charlie. "Are you sure you don't want to come, Ry?"
"I'm staying here." Ryder states, leaving no room for argument.
Xander hugs him. "We need him here."
"Okay." I relent, wishing I could do more for him. I'm sure he's going through a lot right now. "Let's go then."
Charlie leads the way and uses his charm so we aren't questioned. "Where do we go for this kitchen and stuff?"
"We could go to someone's house or a restaurant." I point out both.
"To get our own?" Toby questions.
"No...we'd have to get people to build ours."
"I can find people." Tony says. "And if you use your magic voice, Charlie, we can have a kitchen installed by tomorrow."
"Then that is what we will do. Lead the way, Díez." Charlie nods.
"S-Sorry that I can't cook for you yet," Toby looks down.
"No problem, we'll have Ryder teach you." Tony ruffles Toby's hair before leading the way.
Charlie grabs my hand and points out all of the children and families happily along with any food that he is interested in. Toby seems just as curious, but he clings to Tony, eyes constantly raking over the area.
Tony takes us down to area where workers are waiting for manual labor jobs and explains that we want to install a kitchen onto a ship. They ask for pay and he leaves it to Charlie.
"You will install a kitchen without any questions. You will be paid and then you will forget that any of this happened," Charlie says and the workers all nod, dazed, before following directions and heading to the ship themselves.
"So, what should we do in the meantime?" I ask.
"Bear hunting." Tony smirks.
"There won't be any here, too many people."
Charlie bites his lip in thought. "Where do you want to go? What do you miss?"
"I don't know what I miss. Pubs, I suppose. We had some great times in pubs."
"Some great fights too." Tony nods.
"W-We can go." Toby smiles.
Tony slaps his back. "Fuck yeah!"
Charlie smiles at me. "I want to experience the pubs with you."
"Let's go then." I lead him towards the shouting. "This isn't a pirate port so they'll be much calmer." We pass by an alley way where two people are having sex. "Well, for the most part."
Toby gasps loudly. "They're participating in coitious in p-public!" He covers his eyes as Charlie laughs.
Tony hums. "Mhm. I'd love to participate in coitious with you in public."
Toby gasps again.
"Fuckin' exhibitionist." I grumble and he slaps my head.
"Shut it, I bet you'd love to fuck Charlie in front of all these people. Show them he's yours and whatnot."
Charlie laughs. "It sounds fun~"
I smirk. "My boy is down."
"So's mine." Tony says.
"You didn't even ask him, dipshit." I slap his head. "Consent!"
Toby plays with his hands. "I'm not good at the sex, so I can't do it in pub-public."
"Not good?! You swallowed my whole dick." Tony hollers.
Toby hits him. "Hey, shh!"
"What? Are you shy?" Tony asks.
"Tonyyyyyy, stop iiiiiit."
"They'd be lucky to fuck you." Tony huffs.
"But I don't know what I'm d-doing." He looks at the bar curiously.
"You're still good." Tony slaps the bar. "Four whiskeys!"
"Three." I correct and order a fruity margarita for Charlie.
Charlie 'ooh's and drinks it. "Tropical."
Toby takes a sip and chokes.
Tony howells with laughter and chugs his. "Little bitch can't take it!"
"I-I'm not a little b-b-bitch!" He drinks more with a sour face.
Tony tips it further, forcing more down Toby's throat.
"You're not a little bitch, even if you can't drink it." I tell Toby. "Quit it, Tony."
The blond gags and whiskey comes out of his nose, causing tears to flow. "F-Fuck."
"Aww." Tony wipes him off. "You look so good when you cry."
"I-It burns. The water is leaving me." He hisses and Charlie orders him a water.
"Careful, Tobes, you'll dehydrate yourself."
Tony helps him drink some water slowly. "Sorry, guppy."
"It's okay. You d-didn't know." Toby buries his face in Tony's side and continues to sip at the drink. "It's so spicy."
"You don't have to drink it." Tony takes it from him and orders a spiked lemonade. "Here, try this one."
I down my whiskey and ask for a refill. I'll need it to get through this outing.
Toby sips it. "It tastes sweet." He giggles and chugs it, ordering five more.
"Don't drink too much, Toby." I warn him.
"Let him do what he wants." Tony argues.
Both blonds drink until they're drunk, Charlie hanging off of me and kissing my neck.
"Ethaaaaaan."
Toby laughs. "Let's all d-d-d-dance!" He wraps himself around Tony. "It'll be fuuuuuuun~"
"Fuck yeahhhh." Tony pulls Toby out into the dance floor as I moan quietly, the only one here still semi cognizant. I'm only a little tipsy.
Charlie's voice seems to go in and out of siren mode. "I wan' ta dance tooooooo." He bites my bottom lip and pulls. "Baby, please?"
"Absolutely." I follow him in a trance and pull him into the middle and begin to dance. I'm not that good but I can sure be fun.
The siren pulls me over to where Toby is stumbling around happily with Tony. He grins and grinds against me to the music while also having us twirl around. He seems to be trying to dance like other people, but his merperson roots seem to slip into the choreography, the room moving around him like water.
He's beautiful. I follow his lead, moving my body with his. He feels so good against me, everything just feels so good right now. I feel like I could stay happy in this moment forever.
Before I know it, I hear a squeak and then feel Charlie leave me shortly after, a group of men holding Toby and Charlie, their hands wandering.
"Where'd you losers get such nice whores?" The main one asks, groping Charlie.
I blink, sobering up and advance on them. "They aren't whores, give them back." I say just as Tony pulls his gun on the group.
Charlie giggles and moves around them weakly. Toby's legs go limp and he whines.
"Tonyyyyy." He tries time return, but his pants get pulled down and he screams.
Charlie elbows the person closest to him. "Ethan, help."
I charge the group and tackle the guy holding Charlie, hearing a gunshot next to us. I get a glimpse of Tony hauling Toby up and knock out the guy under me, blocking a punch aimed from another.
Beside us, Toby is hyperventilating and Charlie's eyes turn blue and for a moment, he has clarity and Toby quickly covers Tony's ears as Charlie covers mine and says something, the men in earshot all fighting each other to the death as Toby continues to shake and Charlie's legs start to wobble.
I grab Charlie and Toby and run out of the bar.
"What's wrong with him? What do I do?" Tony asks and I shove Toby into his arms.
"Just hold him."
Tony holds Toby close and rocks him. "Shh, it's okay baby boy, you're safe now."
I pick Charlie up in my own arms and hold him close, watching the chaos in the bar. "Gods almighty."
"Sorry, I was angry." Charlie hides his face in me.
Toby dryly sobs and Charlie looks up and notices that Toby's pants are wet before handing Tony his jacket for Toby.
Tony wraps him up in it. "You're safe now, I'm never letting that happen to you ever again."
"W-Why d-does Ig always h-h-happen?"
"I don't know."
"Because people are cruel." I answer. "And you are young, and small, and pretty so they want you and they think they can just take what they want. Just like Tony did."
Toby freezes. "T-Tony did this?"
"He wanted you so he took you."
"I care about him, Dechart." Tony snarls. "I didn't fuck him until he agreed to it."
The blond starts scratching at himself and Charlie limps over and takes him from Tony, shushing him and rocking him, whispering.
"You're just like them." I snap at Tony. "And you'll never change."
"I am changing." Tony argues. "I...I care about Toby. I want to keep him safe. I want to help him."
"Just Toby?" I scoff. "What about Ry? Do you care about him? About what you did to him?!"
Tony looks speechless. "I..."
"You should leave."
"Ethan, he hasn't done anything new. Don't make him leave yet." Charlie shows me his hand, blue blood staining it. "Toby won't stop. He feels violated. Don't make Tony go."
Tony gently walks over to Charlie and grabs Toby's hand. "Baby boy, please stop."
Toby looks at him, heartbroken. "D-Did you... Ryder..?"
"I don't understand."
"Did you do to Ryder what Toby just experiences?" Charlie translates.
Tony looks back at the bar. "Did I...I don't...I did. In a way."
He starts scratching again and Charlie stops him.
"Tony, make him better."
"Why? W-Why would you?"
"I don't know, I didn't understand, I didn't know." Tony looks genuinely upset. "I didn't know."
Toby pukes and Charlie screams and nearly drops him.
Used to bodily fluids, I take Toby and hold him close, holding his hair back and helping him get everything out.
Tony sits down and puts his head in his hands. "I'm sorry, oh gods, I'm sorry."
Toby grabs my hands. "I-Is this w-what I'm g-good for?"
"No, Toby, you're worth so, so much more. You've lived a hundred years by Charlie's side doing so much good. You're not just a pretty face or a hole to fuck." I assure him.
"You're kind." Tony adds. "Optimistic. Loving, caring, joyful, excited, ready to learn, ready to see the good in everyone. You're smart, brave, strong. You tried to give your life to save your friends on my vessel. You're selfless, determined, courageous."
He sniffles. "Y-You think that?"
We both nod and Tony says, "I know that."
Toby looks to Tony and looks at his bloody arms. "Please don't leave me. Please... p-please don't throw me a-away."
"I won't." Tony comes closer. "I'm your papa bear. Papa bears don't throw their cubs away."
"I'm your good cub." He wipes his eyes.
"My good boy." Tony kisses his forehead.
Toby crawls into his arms. "I want to wash up and go to b-bed."
Charlie comes over, trying not to look at the puke. "Yeah, I think we can arrange that."
I go to Charlie and hug him. Toby wasn't the only one who suffered tonight. "We'll take you two back to the ship."
"It's okay, I'm okay," Charlie reassures me. "Thank you though. I appreciate it." He holds my hand tightly as we walk to the ship.
I glare at anyone who even looks st us and we make it back without issue.
Xander's eyes widen as he takes us in. "What happened?"
"Stuff." I mumble and Tony takes Toby to the water.
Xander steps away from Ryder. "No, what the fuck happened?!"
"Men." I answer and Ryder's hands start to shake. "They wanted Charlie and Toby."
"Toby was bloody."
"He's been trying to get them off," Charlie explains and hugs Ryder.
"I want to see him." Ryder says quietly.
"Okay. Just wait for Tony to finish healing and cleaning him. He's... he'll need a little while."
Ryder nods. "Okay."
"Do you need anything?" I ask Charlie. "I'll do anything for you."
"Maybe... maybe just you by my side."
I nod and do just that. "That's my favorite place to be."
He smiles and Xander grabs Ryder's hand when Tony and Toby finally return.
"T-Toby," Ryder looks at him sadly. "I'm sorry that happened to you. You can always come talk to me if you need to. I want to be there for you. I still love you a lot."
"Y-You do?" Toby tears up.
Ryder nods. "Yeah, I do." He steps forward a little, indicating he wants to hug Toby.
He leaves Tony momentarily to hug my brother, crying quietly. Toby holds him tightly, shaking as he buries his face into Ryder's neck.
Ryder hugs him back just as tight. "No one should have to go through things like this."
"I wish I was stronger." Toby sniffles.
"You're incredibly strong." Ryder tells him. "Strong enough."
"Thank you."
"You're welcome." Ryder says and they hold each other for a little bit longer before finally letting go.
Toby wipes his eyes before shuffling over to Tony and pulling on his shirt, asking to go to his room. Tony picks him up and carries him there and Xander grabs Ryder's hand silently as Charlie hides his face in my neck.
"I think we're gonna need some time alone too." I tell Xander. "Do you want to swim or go to our room, Charlie?"
"Room..."
"Okay." I take him there and cuddle him in bed.
"Ethan, why are some humans so evil?" He whispers.
"I don't know...the world is cruel and it takes its cruelty out on us. Then we take our anger over that cruelty out on others. It's easier to be cruel and many people are selfish."
Charlie plays with my shirt. "I don't think it's necessarily easier to be crueler." He pulls the neckline down and kisses my chest. "To combat it, we'll just have to be protectors."
I nod and take my clothes off for him. "I'll protect you, Charlie. Always."
"And I'll protect you. Forever." He pokes my forehead. "But don't go making my job harder than it has'ta be, ya hear?" He hiccups and giggles.
"Can't promise anything." I smirk and kiss him. "Mm, tastes like cocktails."
"Today was my first alcoholic endeavor." He hugs me before trying and failing to remove his clothes.
I pin him down and finish the task myself. "Really? And you've lived how long?"
"One hundred-twenty-twooo," he sings.
"That's kinda pathetic, Char." I giggle.
"We have drinks that taste good without making me feel a little wobbly and very happy, but weird." He blinks. "The best drink is what we'll have when we marry."
"And what's that?" I tuck us in.
Charlie reaches out for me, already asleep.
I chuckle and kiss his forehead before pulling him into my arms and closing my eyes to join him.
_________________________________
Author’s Note:
Poor Charlie and Toby. I'm glad Ethan is there to help them, and Tony too to an extent.
I just want my boys safe and happy. 😭
-Jex