Page 38 of Suffer No Fools
"That's the largest bluefin I've ever caught in these waters," Tovey said.
"Maybe there really is something to be said for singing to the fish."
Trin had regaled them with her tales, and they'd both thought they were just that, tales of a young girl with a water weaver father who had wanted her to think she was doing well by singing fish into their nets. Now, Stan wasn't so sure.
As if answering their call, a large heron swooped down from the sky and landed on the aft of their boat. Tovey laughed. "Friends in sea and sky."
That was a line from the song. Stan sang it with him, and then they both forgot the next line, same as before. Tovey dissolved into another bout of laughter once he'd caught the fish in the net.
"Hugo doesn't like catching fish," Tovey said, "but he liked eating them well enough."
"Aye," Stan said. "You're not a poor cook."
"I had to learn or starve on my fishing boat. My cooking is still better than yours. You season everything to death."
Stan did like his turmeric and pepper. "I'll hold off until it's on my plate," he offered. "I can cook for you tonight, if you'd like."
Tovey's cheeks darkened, and he grinned. "I'd like that. I need to tell you something first. You're welcome to change your mind about dinner, if you'd rather never speak to me again."
Stan couldn't imagine anything that would keep him from Tovey's side, besides Tovey saying he no longer wanted Stan around.
Instead, Stan listened intently as Tovey told him the story of their relationship from the beginning. It was much the same as Stan would have told it, except when Tovey came to the part where they'd grown closer than any other two people on their ship, and Olivia and Efren took notice.
"They kept telling me I would have to change to keep you, and I wasn't going to change for anyone." He sighed. "The trouble is, you never asked me to change."
"Not once."
"Why not?" Tovey glared at him with the same vehemence he usually withheld for the cheating accusations.
"I never wanted to change you." Stan loved Tovey the way he was, fiery and arrogant, full of righteous anger and vitriol. Tovey was Tovey.
"I never meant to change you," Tovey said. "One night turned into fifteen years, but that's not what you wanted, was it."
Stan sighed. He wanted to argue, to tell Tovey not to put words in his mouth, but what could he say? Tovey had changed him. He'd been adrift ever since the navy had discharged all weavers. He and Efren were old friends, and he would do anything for his captain, but he hadn't felt at home onStarlight Specteruntil Tovey had joined. As much as he complained about sharing power, he felt more alive with Tovey's air weaves than he did alone. Every time Tovey helped him convert his power to air, he had the same rush as when they sang together.
"I don't want to think about what my life would have been without you," he said instead. "I'm glad you're in it."
"Even when I'm a complete jerk?"
"You're my jerk." He grinned to take the sting out of his words. He didn't know what reaction he was expecting, butTovey launching himself at him—forgoing both fishing poles and toeing the tin cup filled with worms on its side—wasn't it. Tovey's hands were grimy with dirt and fish blood, but Stan didn't care. Tovey was kissing him, hard and deep, nearly knocking him on his back in the small boat.
"I'm so sorry," Tovey panted. "I shouldn't have stopped you the other night."
"Why did you?"
"I ..." he swallowed hard, and his face morphed into the same expression of sheer panic. "I don't want to lose you."
"You'll never lose me," Stan promised.
"How can you say that? We aren't even friends, not really. I'm an asshole to you, and you take it. That's not friendship."
No. It was love, plain and simple. Pure, utter devotion, and a hope that one day Tovey would get his head out of his ass and realize he loved Stan back. After fifteen years, it was probably impossible, but Stan hadn't given up hope.
"I don't know who misinformed you about friendship, but what we have fits," Stan said. "You don't have to kiss my ass to be my friend, and I don't have to agree with you to be yours."
"When have you ever agreed with me?"
Stan chuckled. "See? Still your friend. Who else would have dragged you out of Slimy Lou's before that water weaver tried to drown you?"
