With summer in full swing, Niles was done teaching courses for the semester, which meant he had more free time to spend with Ashton.

Ashton was ecstatic to have more of Niles' attention, though after the talk with Dr. Jones, Niles now seemed shy about being alone with him. So, to Ashton's dismay, Niles had them start spending a lot more time with James and his niece and nephew.

It wasn't all that bad, however, as Margaret and Charles were funny kids. They were out of school for the summer, and the way that they asked him questions and always wanted to play reminded Ashton of his own little siblings.  

As for James, Ashton was wary of him at first, remembering how much he used to dislike the human doctor. But after enough time together, he began to appreciate his energy and biting wit. 

It turned out that the James human had moved down here to be closer to his sister and her two kids after something called a divorce. Ashton had no clue what that meant, so Niles had to explain. 

 "It's when a paired human couple decide to split up." Niles said. "But it's bigger than just a normal break up. It's like the equivalent of hoklas going through an uncoupling,"

"Oh." Ashton understood that explanation. Uncouplings were extremely rare for woodlands, but they did happen. Ashton was impressed that James had upended his life to support his sister during her uncoupling, and his opinion of the human grew as a result.

A couple weeks after Niles met with Dr. Jones, James asked them to come over to help plant a fae-friendly garden. Niles, of course, was an expert on that, so they spent the afternoon clearing out a section of James' backyard and getting a plot ready for the seedlings and cuttings he had. 

It was busy work, made extra challenging by Margaret and Charles' "help," so Niles eventually rounded up the two kids to drop them back off at their house next door. 

Now left alone with James, Ashton worked quietly, still not sure what to say to his former doctor. As he worked, he noticed one of the plants and paused, catching his breath. It was a cutting of a honeysuckle vine— one of his mother's favorite treats. He reached for it hesitantly, brushing the leaves gently with his talons. James seemed to notice the shift in his mood. 

"Hmm?" the human asked, looking up from where he was planting some ground ivy. "What's the matter?"

"Nothing just..." Ashton quickly placed the honeysuckle vine back down. "Just thinking about home."

James nodded like he understood. "Yeah, I bet you miss them," he agreed. "It's pretty weird for a woodlands to be separated from their family and clan like this."

Ashton shrugged and looked down at his talons. "I've always been a bit different from my clan anyway," he admitted, thinking back to how weird his cousins had gotten once he was flightless. "Being half sprite and all. It just took me losing my wings to realize how much."

He was silent for a while, remembering, when James broke the silence. 

"Do you miss it?" the human asked abruptly.

Ashton looked at him, confused. "Miss what?"

"Flying."

"Oh." Ashton looked up at the clouds drifting lazily overhead, unable to stifle the feeling of longing that rose up in his chest. Every day, was the correct answer, but he couldn't be so vulnerable in front of James.

"Of course," he finally said. "But I've gotten used to it."

"What if there's a way to get the same feeling back?" James suggested, and Ashton looked at him sharply.

A way to get the same feeling back? Ashton repeated in his mind. But humans don't fly... right?

His curiosity got the better of him. "What are you suggesting?"

James just grinned in response. "Follow me."

***

Niles was startled by the sound of a motorcycle engine revving, and he hurried out of James' sister's house to catch a glimpse of James' motorbike disappearing down the block. James was standing at the edge of his driveway, but Ashton was nowhere to be found.

"James!" Niles exclaimed, running up to his friend. "What are you doing? What's going on?"

"Just giving Ashton a taste of freedom," James explained, crossing his arms casually. "It's the closest thing to flying that I can think of on such short notice."

"You put him on your motorcycle??" Niles couldn't believe what he was hearing. Ashton was good at a lot of things, but human technology was not one of them. Niles didn't even want to think about the dangers of him trying to operate a vehicle.

James looked disinterested in Niles' obvious panic. "I know you try to keep him busy, but there's only so much sitting around in a lecture hall or clinic that a summer faerie can take, you know. He needs to be way more active." He grinned deviously. "And this is just the kind of rush he needs."

Niles rolled his eyes. "Even so, you can't just teach my..." he froze and backtracked immediately. "You can't teach Ashton how to ride a motorcycle!" he corrected.

James smirked at him. "My?"

Niles grimaced and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Friend. I was going to say friend. Former patient. Ward. Charge. I don't know." He waved a finger in James' smug face. "But I'm in charge of him, and this isn't safe!"

Before James could snap back a retort, Ashton pulled up on his motorbike, grinning like crazy with his light brown curls windswept and tousled.

Niles rounded on James. "You didn't even give him a helmet?" he exclaimed in disbelief.

James shrugged. "He was just going around the block. Figured he'd be fine."

Niles threw his hands up in the air. "What kind of doctor are you?" he accused. He stalked into James' garage and grabbed a helmet, pushing it into Ashton's surprised hands and showing him how to wear it.

"Put this on," he ordered, and Ashton eyed it curiously before slipping it over his head.

"Niles, I can't see," he complained, his voice muffled. Niles flipped the visor up, and Ashton's bright hazel eyes blinked at him.

"Ok," Niles nodded. "I'm not satisfied, but it's better than nothing." He waved Ashton away. "Have fun."

Ashton glanced at James, looking confused, and James just shrugged. "Bye," he said, and Ashton took that as his cue to leave, gunning the bike and tearing down the street.

James wiggled his eyebrows at Niles, who was determinedly looking away from him.

"You've got it bad," he noted, and Niles scowled.

"I don't think being concerned about the safety of my former patient can be considered as me 'having it bad'," Niles corrected.

"Oh, my gosh, Niles!" James protested. "You obviously like him. And he's smitten with you. Just date him already."

"Do you... really think he's smitten?" Niles hesitated.

James looked at him in disbelief. "My goodness, Niles, are you blind? He can't keep his eyes off of you. His face lights up like the sun as soon as you walk into the same room as him. Put the poor man out of his misery already and let him hold your hand or something!"

Niles grimaced. He knew what James was talking about but... actually responding to Ashton's advances was... a step he was too scared to take. 

"It's... not that easy," Niles said softly. 

If I do that, then... then I'm essentially telling him I'll be with him for the rest of our lives, he thought. And I'm... not ready for that. 

James just shook his head in response. "Niles, you always go after what you want," he told him. "It's annoying to see you so wishy-washy for once."

Niles didn't say anything, and the two of them stood there in silence until Ashton came back. He took off his helmet, sharp grin still in place, and held out a hand towards Niles.

"Ride with me," he said, and Niles just stared down at his clawed hand.

"Oh, go on, Niles," James insisted, giving him a push.

Niles tripped forward and grabbed hold of Ashton's hand to catch himself. He was just shooting James a glare when Ashton nudged him with the helmet.

"You should wear this," he suggested, and Niles immediately refused.

"No, no," he said, pushing it back. "I want you to wear it. I don't want you to get hurt."

"I think I have a harder head than you do," Ashton explained.

Niles couldn't help but laugh. He wasn't sure if Ashton meant literally or figuratively, but one thing that had surprised him about Ashton was how stubborn the faerie was. He was good natured and rarely argumentative, but he certainly stuck with something once he determined to. Not even Lucy was as strong-willed as Ashton, since she was more likely to get distracted.

"I don't disagree," Niles replied, eyes twinkling. "But you're still wearing the helmet."

Ashton opened his mouth to protest, but Niles had already climbed onto the bike behind him. "Put your helmet on," Niles reminded him.

Ashton grabbed Niles' arms and tugged them around his waist. "Fine. But that means you're holding onto me."

Niles didn't say anything as he let Ashton position his hands. He didn't have to look at James to know he was staring at them smugly.

After putting on his helmet, Ashton reached down and patted Niles' hands. "Ready?" he asked, and Niles nodded.

Ashton's hand lingered on his for a moment before gunning the bike, and then they were off

Startled by the quick start, Niles instinctively tightened his grip around Ashton. He's... going too fast, Niles reasoned to himself once he noticed how close he was pressing himself against Ashton. That's the only reason why I'm doing this.

But as he leaned his head against Ashton's broad back and felt the summer sun beat down on his shoulders, he couldn't help but wonder, what if?

***

After considering James' words, Niles realized he was right— Ashton was too cooped up. It didn't take long for Niles to learn that Ashton was a very physical person, throwing himself into whatever activity burned the most energy.

When Niles asked him about it, Ashton had just shrugged. "I was a hunter back home," was all he said. "Not a magic scholar or historian. There was a reason for that."

Niles talked to James next, who suggested Ashton look into getting a summer job at his niece and nephew's swim school.

"He's a water sprite," James had pointed out. "And he's good with kids. He'd be a natural as a swim instructor. And it'd get him out of the house or clinic for a change."

So, Niles decided to take Ashton to one of the kids' swim lessons so that he could see what it was like. 

The day they were supposed to go, Ashton was already at the front door, looking excited to be going somewhere new. Niles just looked at him and couldn't help but chuckle.

Ashton eyed him curiously. "What?" he demanded. "What are you laughing at?"

"It's just... you've... changed so much since the first time you were here," Niles began. "I don't even recognize you anymore."

It was true, though. Ashton was so bright and happy nowadays, that Niles almost forgot what he had been like four years ago. 

"Some things are still the same," Ashton argued, and Niles raised his eyebrows.

"Oh yeah?" he countered, amused. "Like what?"

Ashton got a devious look in his eye and took a step towards Niles, closing the gap between them and placing both hands securely on Niles' hips. Niles tensed, wondering if he should move or see what Ashton was about to do. His curiosity won out, and he stood still as Ashton leaned in.

"The fact that you still hold all of me in the palm of your hand hasn't changed," Ashton murmured into the side of his neck. Goosebumps rose up at the feeling of Ashton's soft breath along his skin. Ashton had been getting slightly more forward the last few weeks, but this... this was new.

"I have been, and forever will be, completely at your mercy," Ashton continued. Niles' knees buckled, and he had to grab hold of Ashton's shoulders to stay upright.

Holy hell. I think it's the other way around, Niles thought desperately. This man has me utterly wrapped around his finger.

"Ashton," he said weakly. "Please stop whispering romantic nonsense in my ear."

"Alright," Ashton agreed, but he didn't move for a moment. Pressed up against him like this, Niles realized that Ashton wasn't tense as all. 

He's so relaxed now, Niles noted. So different from how he used to be. It's like... he's home.

***

They met James at the swim school in the glassed off observation room where all the parents could watch their kids. Most of the other adults were discreet about the way they looked at Ashton, but a few stared openly, eyes wide as they took in his height and razor-sharp talons.

If Ashton was bothered by the stares, he didn't show it, heading straight to where James was sitting near the glass. James looked up as he and Niles got closer.

"Hey," James greeted them, waving. "It's just Meggie today. Charles isn't feeling well."

Niles nodded in acknowledgement and took a seat beside James. Ashton, however, pressed himself against the glass, fascinated by the water below them.

"It's so clear," he murmured, and Niles couldn't help but laugh.

"You want to go check it out?" he asked, and Ashton immediately turned towards him.

"Can we?" he asked, interested. Niles nodded.

"Sure." He stood up and headed towards the door, Ashton right on his heels. "We'll be right back," he called to James. James just waved them off.

Though enthusiastic at first, Ashton slowed down the closer they got to the pool, sniffing at the air and making a face. "What's that smell?" he asked, aghast.

"The pool," Niles answered, and Ashton gaped. "Here, just come see."

They walked into the pool area, and the humid scent of chlorine hit them. Ashton made a little choking sound, and his face twisted in disgust.

Niles was planning on taking him up to the water's edge, but he paused at the look on Ashton's face. "Uhhh... is that a no, you do not want to get closer the pool?" Niles asked.

Ashton nodded. "I do not want to get closer to the pool," he affirmed weakly.

A few of the kids paused in their swim lesson to stare at Niles and Ashton. It wasn't uncommon for parents to come poolside, but like the adults in the parents' room, no one had seen anyone like Ashton before.

Margaret noticed them as well, and Niles heard her gasp from across the pool.

"Hi Niles, hi Ashton!" she called, waving her twiggy arm furiously.

Niles waved back before turning to Ashton, who was looking pale. "Why don't we head back upstairs with James?" he suggested, and Ashton nodded faintly. 

Niles grabbed his arm and guided him out of the pool area. As they walked down the hall back to the observation room, his shoulders visibly relaxed.

Well, that was a bust, Niles thought, watching the color slowly return to Ashton's face the farther they moved from the pool. He couldn't help but feel a bit disappointed. If the water wasn't an issue, he was sure that Ashton would have loved working at the swim school.

"Why does it smell so horrible?" Ashton wanted to know, once he could breathe again.

"That's the chlorine," Niles explained. "It's a chemical that's added to the water to kill any germs."

Ashton frowned. "I think I would drown if I tried to swim in that. It would collapse my gills or something equally horrible."

Niles laughed. "I wasn't sure if it would affect you now that you're mostly human," he said. "I know sprites shouldn't go into chlorinated water, but I had no idea if you could." He eyed Ashton's still pale face. "Judging by your reaction, I'd say it's a no go."

James looked up once they arrived back at the observation room with the other parents. "What'd you think?" he asked, like he hadn't just watched the whole thing through the glass.

"Horrible," Ashton frowned. "I can't believe you humans willingly go in that stuff. It's poison."

James shrugged. "It was worth a shot," he said. "Too bad it didn't work out."

They waited with James for the rest of the lesson, Ashton looking envious as he looked out at the water. Niles stared at his slumped form and bit his lip, wondering if there was something else he could suggest to make up for the failure that was the swimming pool. 

The lesson ended 45 minutes later, all the kids filing into the observation room in search of their parents. Now that they were up close to the mysterious water sprite, they couldn't tear their eyes away, even as their parents dried them off and ushered them out the door. 

Margaret was one of the last kids in, and she looked around for her uncle as she entered. Her eyes lit up as soon as she caught sight of Niles and Ashton.

"Ashton!" Margaret squealed. He stood up, and she ran to him immediately, throwing her arms around his waist.

Reaching down, Ashton swung her up into his arms and rested her on one hip as she hugged his neck. "Hi, Meggie," he greeted her. "You did great today!"

"You saw me?" she asked excitedly as she pulled away, and Ashton nodded. 

"You're well on your way to becoming a water sprite," he assured her, and face glowed with pride.

"What are you doing here, anyway?" she wanted to know next. Her eyes suddenly brightened as she remembered something. "Are you going to be our new swim instructor? Uncle James mentioned that you might apply for a job here."

"Nope," Ashton answered, and she looked crestfallen.

"Aww, why not though?" she wondered aloud, touching the gills on his neck. He flinched a little and gently moved her fingers away. "You can breathe underwater and everything!"

"Only in freshwater," he corrected. "Definitely not in something like your swimming pool death traps."

Margaret looked confused, so Niles quickly explained.

"It's the chlorine, Meggie," he said, trying not to laugh at Ashton's choice of words. "Ashton can't breathe in chlorinated water."

"Oh." Margaret. "So, you can't go swimming anymore?"

Ashton blinked, and then his face fell. "No, I guess not," he said. "Not in any human-made bodies of water, at least."

Niles looked at his crestfallen face, making up his mind. 

If Ashton can't swim here, he thought, then I'll just take him somewhere else. 

________________________________________________________

A/N: At its core, Ashton x Niles is just a jock x nerd ship. And Niles is realizing very quickly that Ashton is a dangerous flirt. Rip Niles' sanity

Thanks for reading! Don't forget to vote or comment. See you in the next part aka the classic BEACH episode (it's a lake front beach. Ashton can't breathe in saltwater).