Noah covered his still very itchy and sensitive belly with his hands protectively.
"Brother, you are too much!" he indignantly splashed some more water towards Levi. "You can't do this kind of thing! I'm no longer a child!"
However, to Levi, his mewling sounded coquettish instead of reprimanding.
"Mn. I know," Levi lightly sprinkled back.
Seeing that the only reaction he got back was a purr-like admission of guilt, followed by a doting smile and a superfluous sprinkle, Noah's fighting spirit got extinguished.
'Ah, forget it…'
His brother-in-law must have really wanted a younger brother all these years. As an only child, he had grown up all alone without having anyone to dote on. He didn't even have any younger cousins. Astars, to avoid fights for succession, only had a single child every generation. Thus, Levi's father was also an only child, while his mother's side of the family… well, it was complicated.
In his heart, this brother-in-law must have always felt lonely, wishing for a sibling to be close to. It's not that this imposing brother-in-law disliked company; it's just that he couldn't stand superfluous relationships. He was looking for heartfelt care and real intimacy.
Loner wolf Levi: (・―・)
Blackie: (◞‸ლ)
Levi: ಠ‿ಠ 'Yes, yes, I'm very lonely! Baby, come comfort me!'
Blackie: '…'
To sum it up, it seemed like Noah would need to slowly reeducate Levi about what was appropriate and what wasn't considering their respective ages.
Noah let out a heavy sigh, shot Levi an exasperated look, and then…
…tossed the entire matter to the back of his head, because his attention was grabbed by the change in the calm waters around them.
Though there was no wind, small waves started to form on the surface. Something was approaching them from the open waters. It would surface briefly, but before its form could be seen, it would dive back into the water, leaving behind only the white foam.
The splashing sounds got louder and louder. A dark-gray fin emerged from the water, cutting through the surface like a knife.
One fin, two fins, three fins. Fins kept appearing one after the other. In mere seconds more than half a dozen fins were gliding through the waters towards them.
Noah, who had just gotten out of Levi's hold, was once again pulled into a protective embrace by the latter. Levi knew that the aquarium shouldn't contain anything dangerous. Still, the sight, which looked like it had been pulled straight out of a shark horror movie, was too alarming to just ignore.
Trey, who had moved to do the same, was forced to awkwardly lower his raised arms back down. 'Bro, are you trying to put me out of a job? QAQ Why must you fight with me over everything?!?'
Levi responded with a derisive sneer, 'Oh? Why are you not using your energy shield, "bro"? What- you think your flesh would be better protection? Or is it that you want to be paid for eating my baby's tofu? Heh heh, then come here, and I'll definitely "pay" you in full.'
Trey faltered. What could he possibly retort with? The other had hit the nail on the head.
Noah's fluffy head wiggled out of Levi's bosom to reveal his curved eyes, sparkling with amusement. This tall brother-in-law of his was really cute at times.
"Don't worry, brother. They are friendly." Noah patted Levi's arms, signaling the other to unwrap them and let him out.
Levi pretended not to have understood his meaning, 'Are you kidding me?' Unidentified shark-like creatures were approaching them, no way is he going to let his baby out of his arms! He, Levi, was the only one allowed to take a bite out of his darling!
Noah could no longer hold in a chuckle, "Ah, brother, they are the reason why I wanted to bring you here in the first place. Just watch."
"Eekekekekekekeke!" A piercing cry tore through the air, followed by several others joining in as if laughing joyously.
The owners of the fins finally surfaced, jumping through the air very gracefully. It was a pod of lively dolphins – massive lively dolphins! The biggest among them was closer to the size of an orca than a dolphin!
"The dolphins in the resort are several times larger than their compatriots in the wild," Noah finally managed to wiggle out of Levi's arms, "It's because they have been raised in a safe environment abundant with food for many generations."
The dolphins surrounded Noah and Levi, 'kekeke'-ing with great excitement. They pushed one another around as they struggled to get a better spot around Noah. And those with a good enough spot kept shoving their smooth heads towards Noah's bosom, asking for a rub.
"We made this beach into a private beach of our own precisely because the dolphins have made this area their home." Noah giggled like a little kid, rubbing one head after the other, "They are especially sensitive to the presence of Soothers."
One dolphin rose his nose high in the air in front of Noah, as if trying to give him a kiss. Noah laughed and dropped a quick peck on its nose, much to its delight.
Levi's mouth twitched, and abruptly all dolphins in his vicinity scattered away.
Levi's heart was bleeding, 'My baby's first kiss!! Taken, right in front of me!!! Stinking fish! Watch how I'll grill you for lunch!'
Dolphins: QAQ!!! 'Wu-wu-wuuu, what kind of scary human is this??'
Blackie: 'And just when I thought you couldn't sink any lower, you prove me wrong. (◞‸ლ) Now you are even feeling jealous of a fis– uh, dolphin.
'Hehe, oh how the mighty have fallen!' (¬‿¬)
The biggest of the dolphins pushed his way through the crowd to dive under Noah. It nudged Noah's bottom with its head and abruptly plunged upwards, making Noah slide onto its back.
Noah yelped in surprise but very obediently seated himself on top of the dolphin as it started swimming in circles.
His entire being was radiating happiness from every pore, "See? They are very smart and friendly!"
Levi didn't know how he felt about all this. On the one hand, his baby seemed to be having fun, so by extension, Levi was happy to see his darling in such a good mood. But on the other hand, Levi had to watch his baby riding something that wasn't him, Levi!
Ah, it was a bittersweet feeling…
Blackie: 'Bittersweet? You mean sour?' (¬‿¬)
"Brother, just approach a dolphin, pet it a little on the head, and they will let you mount them." Noah patiently explained.
'Baby, the only thing I want to mount is you!!' Levi tried to hide his grouchiness, but not only was he unable to fool the dolphins, he couldn't even deceive Noah, this perceptive Soother.
Noah eyed him, then glanced around Levi, where it was a dolphin-free zone. In Noah's point of view, his brother-in-law stood there awkwardly, not knowing what to do. Like a little kid meeting a big horse for the first time, not only was he intimidated by the size, but he didn't know how to approach it either. Not knowing what to do and afraid of making a mistake, he stood there stiffly.
Dolphins must have sensed his reluctance and nervousness and didn't wish to agitate him.
The more Noah got to know this silly-awkward brother-in-law, the more adorable he found him. But what should he do? He couldn't just go around, riding a dolphin by himself while the other watched and sulked.
And he definitely couldn't bring up anything that would wound his brother-in-law's pride, such as revealing that he saw right through him.
Blackie: 'Host…' （ ﾟДﾟ）'…from where are you pulling out all this crap?!?'