Page 38 of Little Saint Nautilus

I knew there were a lot of animal species that mated for life. It was something I’d often found myself longing for. To have a special connection and a lifelong partner. It was then his words came back to me. He’d called me his mate.His mate. The word took on a new meaning now, an understanding of the weight it carried.

Mate.

Forever.

The thought should scare me, but it didn’t. I wanted it. I wanted all of it. I never thought I would find a connection like this, but then there was no one like Nemo. No one, anywhere. And he was mine. This wonderful, beautiful, funny, amazing man—nautilus shifter—was mine.

Over the next few days, Nemo went with me to the beach, kayaked, and worked with me in the shop. Perhaps the novelty would wear off someday, but for now, I loving getting to spend all day together, and then coming home to eat, watch movies, and fall into bed with each other.

It was pretty near perfect, except for the times I caught him with a far-off look, and the corners of his mouth turned down. I’d caught that look of longing and pain in my own face after my accident. The loss of surfing, as it used to be, had taken a toll. My spirit had been broken as badly or worse than my knee. I knew alittleof what Nemo was feeling, but I hated not being able to do anything about it.

Each day when we went out in the kayak, after making sure no one was near enough to notice, Nemo wouldslip over the side, shift into his hybrid form, and swim to see if he could sense his shell. Each day he came back empty-handed had been harder and harder. Luckily, it had been busy enough at the shop that it kept him from dwelling on it all day. At least that was what he expressed to me.

I did my best to hold space for him or distract him, depending on what he needed. I’d even taken him to see the Holiday Boat Parade. With each interaction and each new place we went, I could see what a long way Nemo had come with his fears and anxiety about the human world. Honestly, I couldn't even blame him. I’d lived here my entire life and there were still things to be anxious or afraid of. But I was so amazed by him, by each new thing he tackled. He was remarkable.

Boats were still pretty high on the list of fears because he’d experienced those in a way I never would. The noise, the disturbance, the pollution, it was a lot. There were many problems with boats, but as with a lot of things, there was some good, too. Boats could be used for rescue, for transportation, and what I wanted him to see…for fun.

The boat parade was a local tradition that drew a large crowd every year. About two hundred boats cruised the harbor and shores, showing off fantastic light displays. The crowd had been overwhelming for Nemo, but we found a place along the harbor. He hadbecome so taken with our Christmas tree and any lights he saw, that I knew he would love it.

He let out a squeal when the first boat came out, and for the rest of the evening, he stayed in my arms, making noises of awe. Catching the wonder in his eyes had me falling all over again. Wonder. That was what he brought into my life. With every kiss, every touch, every laugh, every squeeze of a cirrus, I was filled with wonder. It was a feeling I didn’t think would ever cease with him in my life, and I didn’t want it to.

Outside of our time in the shop, Nemo and I had been in a blissful little cocoon with just the two of us. Christmas Eve morning came, and I practically leapt out of bed, eager to get to show off the man I loved with my family. I’d gotten several texts from my parents who’d heard about him from Gramps and were dying to know more. I promised them they would get to meet him tonight for Christmas Eve dinner.

As excited as I was for everyone to meet him, I had to explain to Nemo that our sexual life was just for us. I was pretty certain I would die if he announced his discovery of his prostate at dinner. Although the thought was rather amusing and endearing because I could imagine him doing exactly that.

We’d had plenty of fun discovery on both of our parts. Each time we got naked together, it was new and exciting, and hot as fuck. His cock, his hole, his mouth, hishands; they would have been enough, but add in dozens of appendages that were able to do things to my body I'd never imagined—the man was what dreams were made of… literally.

I hated to wake him when he looked so serene and beautiful, but we had some things to do before dinner. Gently shaking his shoulder, I called out his name. He blinked his eyes open slowly, and I was greeted with a sleepy smile.

“Good morning, little one. It’s Christmas Eve.” My voice came out in a sing-song tone. At that, his eyes widened, and he sat straight up.

“Oh! We have to make applesauce!”

“Yup, and we’re going to make cookies, too.” Applesauce was what I’d been assigned to bring, but after watching several Christmas movies, Nemo really wanted to try Christmas cookies like he’d seen in some of them. How could I possibly resist?

He threw himself forward and wrapped his arms around my neck. “This is going to be the best Christmas!”

I chuckled. “It’s yourfirstChristmas, Nemo.”

“Yes! And I get to spend it with you, so it’s the best.”

I couldn’t argue with that. It already felt like the best one to me, too. Nemo got up, and since he seemed content to stay naked, and I didn’t mind the view, I gave him an apron to wear while we cooked. He worked with me in the kitchen all day with his gorgeous ass on display. Thatperfect little peach was tempting and distracting me, but we managed to get everything done.

I was able to find a light sweater with material Nemo could tolerate, because I knew Gramps would have something to say about me letting Nemo walk around in the winter in a crop top. Explaining he didn’t feel the cold wouldn’t have mattered.

We arrived at my grandfather’s house and the sense of nostalgia I always felt here hit me square in the chest. It was different this time, though. Different because Nemo was here. Getting to share this space with him meant as much as having him meet my family. This was a huge step, one I was excited to take.

Nemo proudly carried the plate of sugar cookies. The frosting was a mess, but the joy he had decorating them had been the most fucking adorable thing ever. We stopped before reaching the front door.

“Are you ready for this?”Nemo’s head fell, and he stared at his sandaled feet. “I don’t know. What if they don’t like me?”

I shifted the bowl of applesauce to one side and faced him. With a finger under his chin, I tilted his head up. “They will, I promise. It’s impossible not to. My grandfather already does, and my parents will love you because I do.”

His worry fell away, and his eyes brightened. “I love hearing you say that.”

“Well, it’s true. I love you, Nemo.”

The door opened as he was about to respond, and we were interrupted by the squeals of my mother, who hurried out to meet us. I had to hold tight to the applesauce to keep it from falling as she flung herself at me. “Look at you, Cory. Don’t you look handsome?”

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