Selkie Cove, Friday afternoon

[demonbelthazor]

Okay, so his girlfriend was a mermaid. And it was all his fault because he was keeping things from her.

He'd done some research and found a demon who could transform Phoebe back. But the price she wanted was his soul, and after the "useless" human Lana freed Piper from the Sea Hag's trap, Piper blew up the demon.

He'd talked to Blair in Sex Ed the previous day. Blair had suggested talking to Phoebe and "opening his mind" to her, fulfilling the spell she intended to cast. Maybe that would fix the backfire. Seemed like now that was his only choice. But would she hate him for it? He'd gone to see her the previous night and couldn't bring himself to do it. Now he was running out of time. She'd already swum out to sea to escape him once. She might not come back next time.

He shimmered to Selkie Cove, closed his eyes, and used their soulbond to summon Phoebe to him.

[Locked to future_visions. Specific details of the conversation are NFB. That Phoebe and Bel were at Selkie Cove and something may or may not have happened is fine.]

Comments

[sensethevisions]

Phoebe had been far out into the ocean, sitting under the water and trying to think about what people had been telling her that she forgot. She was moving her hands through the water when she felt something pulling at her. Only, this pull was different than it had been the last couple of days. This pull was from the opposite direction... from the island instead of from the sea.

She stayed sitting under the water, trying to resist the pull that she didn't understand... but it was very strong. Not able to resist whatever was calling her, she swam back to the island and pulled herself up on the rocks next to the dolphin.

"Cole?"

He was what had managed to call her to the island?

[demonbelthazor]

She'd come. It wasn't too late.

He crouched down beside her. "Phoebe, we need to talk."

[sensethevisions]

Phoebe was looking at him, thinking about how beautiful he was and wondering if he'd come with her sometime.

"We do?"

[demonbelthazor]

"If I promise not to shimmer away with you, will you let me sit next to you?" he asked.

[sensethevisions]

Phoebe looked at him and then nodded slowly.

"Okay."

[demonbelthazor]

Cole settled down beside her. "You know I love you, don't you?" he asked softly.

[sensethevisions]

Phoebe nodded, holding up her bracelet. "Yes. You gave me this."

[demonbelthazor]

"And I'd never want to do anything to hurt you," Cole continued.

[sensethevisions]

Phoebe was watching him quietly.

[demonbelthazor]

"I...I know your heart is turning cold," Cole said, "but try to remember what it feels to love. Do you think you could feel that for more than one person?"

[sensethevisions]

"You mean share that with someone else and you or give it to someone else and you?" She thought for a moment.

[demonbelthazor]

"Give?" he said, not sure he understood her question.

[sensethevisions]

She looked frustrated as she tried to find the words. "If you feel that way for more than two people... does one share you with the other... or does one give you to the other?"

[demonbelthazor]

"It depends on how everyone feels," Cole said. "You don't have to share or give. You can also keep."

[sensethevisions]

"You feel the way you feel for me for someone else?"

[demonbelthazor]

"It's different," Cole said. "But...it's there."

[sensethevisions]

"Different how?" She was starting to sound a little clearer in her voice.

[demonbelthazor]

"Just...different," Cole said. "Not like us. Not like...soulmates."

[sensethevisions]

Phoebe was silent as she started to process what he was saying. "So you love someone else... but not like you love me?"

She was unaware she had remembered the word and had said it without having to concentrate.

[demonbelthazor]

"Something like that," Cole sighed. He looked away from her, unable to meet her eyes. "Not like you, though. Never like you."

[sensethevisions]

"Is the fact that you want to be with other person what is causing the pain?"

[demonbelthazor]

"It's causing...confusion," Cole admitted.

[sensethevisions]

The rocks beneath her were very fascinating. "Do you want to go to this person?"

[demonbelthazor]

"I want to be with you, Phoebe," Cole replied truthfully. "You're the most important thing in my life. You're the light in my darkness. I love you more than anything."

[sensethevisions]

She moved a little closer to him. "You do?" She looked down at his hands. "Why didn't you tell me?"