Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Yoba, why have you cursed me so?

After my boat had crashed into rocks of Ginger island’s beach, I have worked way to hard to set up myself on the sandy shore. Docking my ship on land to attempt repairs, though it has mostly been futile. Though the summer air was humid and yet feels so freeing. Thanks to Birdie, who had found me washed up on the shore, I hadn't died of dyhdration or got any sunburn.

What a sweet woman she is, caring for me in a way I hadn't expected from an island hermit.

However, she was stubbornly weird about going into the deeper water around the coral reefs around the island.

Seeing there’s a reef with more than one type of fish that could fuck me up badly and with the state I was in I wasn’t about to fight a shark. It really didn't matter in my book, since I was fine with listening to Birdie's advise for the most part. She had lived here for quite a while.

The only annoying part about living on the island so far was the smell. Sweating and fishing in the humid climate did not leave me smelling amazing.

With my slow progress gathering golden walnuts to get the parrots to do their building magic. I still had to purify my own water to drink and clean myself, cause the heat was making the island not ideal, unless I was in the swallow river or in temporary shelter. I couldn't wait to have a bathroom... and a shower.

Despite craving a shower and something more than fish and coconuts. It wasn't that bad of a life, there was Leo who was trying to teach me parrot. Though I'm still struggling to do more then walnuts and saying Leo's name.

Leo says it's fine, since he took a while to learn it as well.

Pausing in my steps as I set my most recently collected ferns and coconuts in a basket that Birdie had given me. I had sworn the fish I left out to dehydrate was hanging out on the beach’s shore, but as I stood there examining the snapped rope and a weird flat track in the sand that led back to the water.

My mind remembered what Birbie had said before, but clearly something stole my fish. I should at least investigate right? It's a weird drag marks, so I doubted it was Leo. He usually was quite good at asking me for things if he was hungry.

Following the dragging prints in the sand, till they stop in the cool water.

Small waves gently hitting against my ankle. Glancing between the shipwrecks and the small bit of land out in the sand bank. I took a deep breath as I took a step closer as there was movement on the other side of the wooden ship.

Were there more people here besides Birdie and Leo... and I guess, Proffesor Snail.

There was a loud splash and the sound of crunching past the belly of the ship. Carefully walking closer, pressing my hands into the old wood of the ship. Glancing over to the source of the noises, is that a man? In the mid-thigh deep water, just sitting there shirtless and a blue shell necklace around his neck. Eating my fish!

I huffed stomping closer as my arms crossed over my chest.

“Excuse me, who are you-” As the words left my lips, he turned his attention to me and before I knew it there was blood dripping down my calf. “Fuck!!!”

He fucking scratched me!

Backing away as he submerging into the deeper water, swimming away at an inhuman speed. Glancing to my leg, there were three fresh claw marks.

“I hope Birdie got’s something for this…” I spoke in an annoyed hiss, the salt from the ocean making the wound burn more. I dragged my feet as I trekked to Birdie’s hut with a slight grimace.

What was he? He wasn’t like any merfolks I had seen before along the Fern Islands. Though most of them were women know that I think about it, with the pods that are friendly.

Scratching the back of my neck almost timidly as I snapped out of my thoughts, seeing Birdie already facing my direction as I walked up to her. “You know... you’re not a good listener, young lady.” She scolds me, even if she has that warm smile on her face. I could tell she was only saying it out of care.

“I know, but you should’ve seen him. He stole my fish and then scratched me!” I moved to sit down on the log stool besides her, a hiss leaves me. The sting shotting through my leg once more. Birdie takes a ladle, scooping fresh water out a bucket and pouring it onto my leg rinse the blood and salt water away.

“Is that so?” Birdie gently cleaning the cuts as she chuckled over my dismay. I had gotten used to her habit of laughing at my misery. It never felt bad when she did, like telling your mother a funny story as a child. She amused your complaints, I always thought it was nice that I could make her smile.

“Yeah, It was so strange. I’ve never seen a merfolk lash out before.” I leaned forward with a long sigh. Watching her slow but skillful wrapping as she made sure that medical herbs were stuffed between the bandages to slow the bleeding faster.

“Of course, Dearie... but I'm sure you just scared him.” She gently pats my leg, as she finishes. Helping me adjust it to rest back on the ground, moving it was still a bit sore.

“I guess, I was pretty aggressive when I walked up to him.” Looking out to the open ocean as the waves gently lap at the sand in a soothing dance. I couldn’t help feeling a luring curiosity digging away at the back of my mind, wanting to just jump into the water to find the merman that attacked me.

“Do you think he’ll come back?” I glanced over to Birdie once more, she must’ve known what I was thinking as Birdie’s hand patted my back with a small smile.

“Dearie, I’ve seen him for 20 years. He’s not going anywhere… but I would suggest leaving some of your catches on the shore, he’ll be less likely to snatch from your stashes that way.” I couldn’t help nodding along, thoughts flooding my mind once more. The idea of slowly gaining this merman’s trust, being able to see the coral reef without worry of being attacked. Well, besides by Lionfish... or pufferfish.

Okay, maybe I did have a few things to worry about besides the merman.

“I’ll start doing that then, but if he steals from me again. I'm going to be snooping around your hut.” That got a chuckle out of her, taking my hand into hers as I attempted to stand up to go back to my tent for the afternoon in hopes to rest.

“Dearie… you're always welcomed to come over to my hut for a meal.” For a moment, I had almost forgotten we’re on an island together. Castaways, sticking together when there wasn't anyone else to keep us company.

Birdie was like my Grandpa here. Stubbornly strong, even more so when it came to showing others love and care.

I gently squeeze her hand and nod. “Of course, Birdie. Who else am I supposed to gossip with? The tiger slimes?” She squeezes my hand back as we have a moment of understanding, gently she releases it and rolls her eyes.

“Get some rest already, Dearie…”

That feeling warmth hits my chest as I waved goodbye. Taking a deep breath as a cool breeze blow through the palm trees. Walking back to my shelter.

Honestly, if I had to crash on Ginger Island again, I'd do that a million times over.

I’d do it just to meet Birdie again, she a Granny to me though I knew if I told her that… she’d probably laugh and say she’s far too young to have grandkids. What a modest lady she is.

Opening my tent flap, rubbing the back of my neck. I flopped down onto the bedroll with a thud. Grabbing my leg with a hiss as I accidently hit my leg. Readjusting and staring outside my tent as I slowly fall asleep and a small smile on my face.

I couldn't wait to see the merman again.

Chapter Text

The next day, the morning sun peaked in through the canvas of my tent almost blinds me as I roll over in my bedroll. A long yawn left my lips as I slowly sat up and skretched.

As I rub the sleep from my eyes, the sounds all types of creatures that inhabited the Island every hour of the day.

Getting out of my bedroll and grabbing a change of clothes. Feeling the urge to bathe was stronger today, pushing open the tent’s door flap. Ready to start my day, as I walked towards the river with my change of clothes.

As I stripped out of my tank top and shorts. Thanks to having clothes on my boat, I was able to at least not worry about those things. For now, cause lord knows when I’ll start brawling with the monsters in the volcano.

Though they sounded terrifying to hear outside it.

Dipping into the river and taking the soap that Birdie made for me. She said there were plently of ways to make soap, but now wasn’t the time to think about making different soaps.

As I washed in the river, it was nice to rinse away the dirt and sand. Humming to myself, slowly swaying in the water as I feel awake. Sitting down to just relax a bit longer.

I removed my bandage from around my wound, blinking a few times as I stare down at what I was expecting to be at least a few red scabs. “Huh, did my cuts heal?”

I tilted my head, the wrinkling of my brow was much more prominent as I reached down to touch my calf. Only to find that the scratches were healed completely, it was so strange.

Sure Birdie was good with medicines, but this wasn’t medicine level healing.

I looked towards my camp and now that I was more awake. Things did seem to be out of place. Once out the water and dryed off to get dressed once more, before going closer to my tent.

The fact there were shells? All along the radius of my tent. Sure, they’re beautiful and a few are a brilliant shade of blue or white with pink stripes. “Did Leo come by last night?”

Tapping my hip as I decide it’s fine, but I had to wonder how or why he did this without waking me up. Sure he was shy, but I felt that we have gotten to know one another to be friendly.

“What are those parrots teaching him?” I laughed softly, before taking ahold of my dagger and water skin. Making my way into the east side of the island. I figured I could collect ferns and maybe a few mangos with Leo.

As I step into the shaddy canopy of the jungle, walking along the path with a big grin. Calling out in a caw, looking around with a soft chuckle after.

My arms crossed, relaxing as I hear the flapping of wings and seeing a fluff ball of feathers, feeling talons come crashing onto my shoulders.

“Hi Leo, you want to forage with me today?”

Leo tilts his head and leans forward to chirp in excitement. His wings flapping a few times as he attempts to express himself in the human tongue. Though I was sure that he would need a second to calm down a bit. “Sorry… yes… can we find taro roots?”

Gently reaching up to run my fingers through his hair. “Sure, if we find enough I can try making poi for you.”

“YAY!!! POI!!!” Leo cheered, almost falling off my shoulder as he flapped his wings and did a small celebration dance.

“Careful, you’re going to knock me down.” A chuckle erupted from me, ruffling his hair as I started walking with him still there. Treating me like a perch, though I figured the kid just liked having an excuse not to walk.

Taking our time together in the jungle, before leaning down as I spot a long green feather in the foliage. Lifting it up and twirling it between my fingers, it had a glimmering like brilliant emerald green with a subtle iridescence.

Leo leans atop my head to look at the feather as well, before making grabby hands. “Woah, can I have it?”

With a small nod, I hand the feather to Leo as I chuckle. “Sure, I know you would want it more than me anyways.”

He took the feather carefully from my hands with a trill, glee all over his little harpy face. “This is going straight into my nest once we get back!”

Giving a gentle tap to his taloned foot, as I nod once more. “Yeah, your nest is getting bigger every time we hang out.” That comment seemed to get a shy giggle from him.

“By the way, did you leave shells around my tent last night?” The thought hit me that I had forgotten to ask about the strange incident this morning.

“No? I went to bed early yesterday.” Leo released my shoulders to hop down into the soft jungle grass. “Maybe, Birdie left them out? She does nest much closer to you than me.”

With that I let out a long sigh, rubbing my neck as I thought about it. That did make more sense if Birdie did it, she had a few medicine practices that involved things like flowers and even crystals at times for healing or even crops. Though she hadn’t helped with the latter bit.

“I’ll ask her later then.” Leo nodded and turned to forge under the foliage. His little parrot wings spread out and his tail feathers balancing him from falling face first into the soil.

“I will…” After that, we mostly sang and worked on finding taro root and even a few mangoes to share as a snack. Gently use through the morning with a sugar boost.

As the afternoon sun started to reach the high part of the sky, we took a break.

Making our way down to the west to get started on lunch. I had promised to make him poi.

Leo sat inside the tent with both the flaps open, watching as I worked on mashing up the taro root. Since I had more recently learned the recipe, I tried to make it anytime I found the root. I had mostly given it to him as a gift, but I’d try it today. Since he always said it was sweet.

“Do you always have fish bones on the shore line?” I heard Leo from the tent, his head tilting as he stared at the ocean that kept us from leaving the island.

“No, I’ve had… a thief steal some of my fish.” I went back to paying attention to making lunch. Slowly it was becoming the pinkish hue of paste that I had seen before. I’m sure if I added milk to this it would be considered a yogurt at that point.

He gasped, as if offended on my behalf of someone stealing my food. “It wasn’t any of my friends, right?”

When he said that, my heart swelled. Man, he was far too sweet for this world. “No, no… none of your friends stole Leo. They may demand high prices in golden walnuts, but I haven’t had any try snacking without me giving it to them first.”

This seemed to calm him down, I heard a huff behind me as he flapped his wings. “Who is this meanie then?”

I shrugged before glancing at the ocean once more. “I don’t know, I didn’t catch his name. He freaked out when I confronted him, but if I see him again I’ll ask.”

I could just feel Leo’s brain cells rubbing together when we sat there in silence for a few minutes. “The thief is a he?”

I almost choked on laughter, taking the two bowls of Poi now and going to sit down beside him in the tent. Away from the sun’s hot rays.

“Yep, do you know any merman Leo?” Setting his bowl in front of him, gently placing the wooden spoons Birdie gave me in each of our poi.

“I’ve heard a few mers in the rocky part of the cove. They sing together in the rain at times, but I’ve never really gone to see them.” He had lifted his bowl and was practically scoffing his food down. I gently pat his shoulder in a silent request for him to slow down.

“I figured as much, you weren’t really talkative when we first met. Though I am curious what hearing their song would be like.” I slowly took a spoonful of my poi, playing with it at first as I hesitantly took the first bite.

It was sweet, though not in an aggressive way. I could definitely see why the young harpy liked it so much. It was a food that you’d need to try without thinking about the looks.

“Are the mers stealing your fish?” Leo spoke in the curious tone that made me turn to look at him, giggling a bit as I saw his face slightly covered in pink. Taking a cloth to gently clean his face.

“I don’t think he meant to steal my fish, Leo. I did leave it to dehydrate on the beach because I didn’t want my tent smell fishy.”

I can see the way he was processing my words as I carefully cleaned the last of his food from his face. Leaning back on the floor with a small smile, patiently waiting for him.

“So… he was just hungry?”

I gave him a small nod, before looking out the tent towards the ocean. “Yeah, he was most definitely just hungry.”

I went back to eating my poi, watching the waves roll against the shoreline as a breeze came in. Leo had let out a small yawn, before leaning against my side with a sleepy face.

“Ready to go back to your nest?” He let out a chirp, clearly too tired now for the human tongue. I gently set the dishes out the way and stand up as I lift him into my arms. I carefully adjusted my grip so that I wouldn’t bump his wings as I carried him out the tent, making my way back towards the east side of the island.

Making it to the steps of his treehouse, It was definitely a steep climb, but I managed. He had fallen asleep by the time we reached his nest. Crouching as I carefully place Leo down, only moving when he lets go.

Standing up, I quietly made my way back down the steps with a smile as I walked back to camp. I was glad that Leo wasn’t alone on this island, not after learning of why he wasn’t with any other harpies in the first place.

If I could, I’d just grow wings and adopt him as soon as I saw the way he skittishly greeted me. When we had first met after the shipwreck.

As the thought slips from my mind, I find myself cleaning the bowls and spoons. Staring into the water with a long sigh, even with that idea in mind. I felt a pull to the ocean once more, wondering if I could spot the black haired merman.

Though it seemed for now he was nowhere to be seen. I guess I did scare him away for now.

Chapter Text

During the next morning, it was slightly drizzling. Despite that, I had asked Birdie about the shells. Though she said they were just shells. For a moment I felt that she wasn’t completely honest with me about the fact that shells don’t usually randomly appear in circles around tents.

When I had returned to camp, I let out a long sigh. Rubbing the back of my neck as I was very much confused, finding myself drifting along the shore line. Temptation to go deeper into the water, but I knew if it started to rain any harder I wasn’t going to want to be in that deep water.

A long dreadful sigh leaves me, I stare into the deep blue waters. It was rather beautiful how dark it was. Though a sign the sun wasn’t going to come out today. Which I wasn’t against, the days of heat before I welcomed the cool air.

While I was walking along the beach, I found myself deep in thought. Softly mumbling to a song that was rattling in the back of my head. Even if I only remembered a small amount of the lyrics.

My gaze had been searching in the rocky bits further out in the water. Having to pause as I saw the pale figure sitting on one of the rocks.

Was that… the merman or I’m experiencing a mirage?

“Hey!” I called out in hopes that I would have a chance to talk to the merman.

As I called out, the figure dipped back into the water and after a few minutes of no answer, I had just about given up on waiting for him to arrive.

Turning to leave as a hand shot out of the water and grabbed at my ankle.

“HOLY FUCK!!!”

My heart felt ready to jump out my chest with that fright of my life. My body turned back around in a flash, seeing the merman had let go from my outburst.

“You really know how to jumpscare someone…” I laughed, moving to sit down on the beach to stop myself from falling over. Watching the raven hair man lurking in the beach waves. His gaze was rather intense, before he backed up into the water.

“You know, it’s rude to just stare and not introduce yourself.” This seemed to make his eyebrow twitch, though I wasn’t sure if it was because he was angry or the fact water just hit his forehead.

The rain was coming down a bit harder now.

“Why are you here?” His voice was a bit gravely, though his voice was close to a tenor. He was squinting at me like I was the weird one.

“Um, I crashed here a while ago now… my boat isn’t really up for seafaring anymore, so here I am.” I let out a long sigh, it was embarrassing to admit I had crashed and ruined my boat because I wanted to go fishing before a storm.

His squinting was stronger now, even when my boat was just on the other side of this sand bar completely in ruins.

“You're not planning to catch me?”

Catching him? Who in the fern islands is going around terrorizing merfolks? My thoughts spiraled for a moment, I had almost forgotten to answer him.

“No? I just found out you existed.”

As I spoke, his shoulders relaxed and his brows stopped furrowing so intensely at me. Still he was a bit cautious as he lifted a dead tuna out of the water, setting it down in front of me. “

Well… I’m sorry about stealing… and lashing out at you…” As I reached out to take a hold of the fish, he flinched. His jaw tensed, most likely preventing himself from biting my hand. I pulled my hand away and let out a nervous laugh.

“Sorry.” I spoke calmly as my hand rested on my lap once more. However, he shook his head and gently nudged the fish closer to me.

“No, don’t apologize. Just take it…”

I reach out once more, this time taking the tuna into my hands. A warm smile pulled at my lips, it was sweet that he replaced the fish he stole before. I wouldn’t have to fish for dinner today.

Looking over at him once more, my gaze fell to his tail. The lower half was still in the water, the dark water making it look murky as I tried to get a better look. I could still spot a warm grey tail with stripes?

It was nothing like what I had seen before for mermaids… most having scales the color of gems.

Perhaps it was because he was a different species of pisces. “Thank you for the tuna, I’ll make sure to eat it up soon.”

I glanced away from his tail and back to his dark lilac eyes. He was staring me down as well, before shifting backwards in hopes to submerge in the waters once more.

“Don’t mention it… it’s a forgiveness gift, nothing else.”

With tuna in hand, I stood up from the sand. I needed to get my new dinner ready, cause who knows when the rain would pick up harder.

“Will you come back again?” I glanced once more time to catch a final glimpse of him.

“Yes, don’t think too hard about it.” He was turning to more properly leave the shore. Before his head went under I called out once more with a soft laughter.

“Wait, what’s your name?”

He cringes, brows furrowing as realization hits his face. “Sebastian…” Before I could respond he had dipped down and swam away.

I yelled my name out, hoping he’d hear it.

The waves picked up and I went to start dinner. Planning to just eat early and head to bed early. My heart fluttered with glee, the mere thought that there was a chance to see him again filled me with hope.

As I skinned the fish, I started to think about the fact that merfolks ate other fishes. Wondering if they also ate the bones or did they leave them to feed small fish.

To say that the rest of my time in my tent was eating fish and contemplating the merfolks place in the circle of life as sentient sea people.

Chapter Text

The rain storm was still going, looking out my tent flaps as I glanced around. There wasn’t much I could do. The river was moving quite fast, so I wasn’t going to risk crossing that bridge… that was a kind description of the two long boards of wood.

With an exaggerated sigh as I have shifted up to stand. Grabbing my raincoat, glad it wasn’t too destroyed.

Taking my fishing rod, I make my way down to the dock. A deep breath of the salty water and the cold breeze, was thrilling in a way. I was sure it wasn’t the healthiest thing to do, but It brings this rush of joy as I cast my line into the waves.

Relaxing as I stare into the deep dark waters, feeling the same call to just fall in and drift with the waves. It looked just so peaceful, despite my brain knowing damn well that was a painful way to get fucked up fast. Again.

As those thoughts cross my mind, I feel the pull on my line and I quickly move to reel in my catch.

A loud laughter leaving my lips, being drowned out by the waves and whirling winds. As the fish breaks the surface, I see that I have caught a flounder.

“Well, better then nothing.” Unhooking my catch and setting into the wooden bucket that I have been keeping at the docks. Since it was much easier to carry food from one side to the island to the next.

Spending my morning fishing and just standing in the rain. Without the worries of the outside world had always been the reason I traveled so often with my ship. Years of this life, being stuck on an island had almost slowed me down in a way. Having my feet stuck to the ground, it was so strange.

Some spray of the waves hits against my face and I snap out my thoughts. Glancing down to my bucket, a few flounders and tunas as my catches for the day.

I pick it up and make my way west to camp. As the sand sank with each of my steps, I found myself thinking about Birdie’s words before. I took one of the tunas I had caught, leaving it out on the sand in hopes that Sebastion would come to take it.

He’ll probably think I’m just repaying him, even if I wanted to figure out more gifts to give him. Man, my heart is racing for no good reason. How can I feel so nervous about something so silly, I’m an amazing fisherman who survived a shipwreck. Gifting a fish shouldn’t be so crazy.

Scrambling back to my tent with the rest of my fish. I had to clean them and prepare my meals, not be a weirdo blushing in the rain.

Taking out my dagger to descale the fishes and removing all the bad stuff. Working in hopes to drown out my thoughts. Even when the rain and crashing waves on the shoreline were already doing that quite well.

As I zone out, enjoying the soothing fall of rain on my tent. Sitting on my wooden stump stool, I attempted to cook in the rain.

Letting out an annoyed groan as I couldn’t get the fire to stay light much longer. I just stored my fish inside a chest and washed my hands moving back into my tent, tossing my raincoat to the side. Kicking off my boots and curling up under my bedroll. My eyes slowly fall shut as I let myself drift to sleep.

I’d just eat later.
_

Hours later, I had woken up in the late evening. Most likely 10 or 11pm, though without any clock I wouldn’t have a clue if I was right.

My hands rubbing my face as I realized the rain has stopped, a grumble in my stomach twisted in slight pain. “Maybe… I should’ve nibbled on something before sleeping…” I muttered to myself, moving to get up and peak out my tent. The ground was still wet, but I could probably start a fire now.

After putting my shoes on and grabbing my coat to stay warm, I stepped out and found my foot crunching on something in front of my tent.

“Huh?” There below my foot was a crab with a large chunk ripped out its shell.

How this crab got here was a mystery, I crouched down and lifted it up. Letting out a sigh, deciding I wasn’t going to waste food.

I cooked up some crab and tuna, as I sat back and glanced at the beach. Though it was dark and I couldn’t see much past my fire, for a moment I thought I saw movement along the shorelines. It was likely my hopeful mind that Sebastion would at least attempt to talk with me.

It’s not like he had many reasons to do so…

Unless he’s bored in the coral reefs around the island, it’s not like I’ve seen any other merfolks here and with what Leo said there must at least be a small choir of them.

The mere thought of a choir of mers made me wonder how Sebastion would sound singing. Since many of the songs I’ve heard on the open seas, they were mostly soprano and alto mermaids. The sirens of the Fern Sea with all the legends and fishmen tales I’ve heard whenever I would go from small towns along the mainland’s shores.

As I ate my dinner, staring out into the abyss I saw that in the foliage on the beach. Someone was staring back. Having been so wrapped up in my thoughts, I almost didn’t notice.

I set my bowl down, standing as if I was just stretching before heading towards the beach with a grin. Acting as if I was just stumbling across my watcher. “Oh, hey there! Didn’t realise you’d be resting on the beach?”

Looking down at the now dark red face of the merman, though it was hard to see much of his expression in the dark. He was still rather pale and almost would blend in if it wasn’t for his skin.

“I’m just resting, the waters have been thrashing a lot for two days…” He huffed, his ears twitched and he was looking anywhere but me.

“Ah, that’s fair. It must take a lot of energy to keep up with the currents.” I nod, it was logically a good reason for him to genuinely be laying on the beach… but the random crab at my camp and the fact he was tucked away so close to me was a bit too much of a coincidence.

“Yeah…” He finally glanced at me and in the dark his eyes had the slight glint in them from the dim lighting of my camp fire. “Thank you for the fish, I’m assuming that was you and not the older woman…”

“Oh, you're welcome! It was me, Birdie lives in the hut further west of mine.” My heart was racing fast once again, glancing to his tail and now that he was out of the water. It made me realize that he was much more similar to a shark.

“Well, it was nice anyways… I didn’t mind not hunting.” He gently rubbed the back of his neck and glanced towards my camp.

“Did you want some more? I’m sure after the storm you’re pretty tired.” I offered, mostly hoping he’d stay longer. Even if it was a mix of good graces with that selfish thought.

“Um, sure?” He looked a bit confused from what I could see. Though I’m sure he appreciated it.

“Okay, one second!” I quickly ran back to my chest, taking some of the flounders out from my storage before running back with a grin on my face.

“I hope you enjoy them, I’m not quite sure what you really like.” Crouching beside him and holding out one of the fish.

“These are fine, I’ve eaten a lot of these really.” He takes the offering and starts to eat them. Taking bites out of it with those sharp teeth, man I shouldn’t find that attractive.

As I glance away, wondering for a moment. “I’m not sure if this is personal, but do you have a pod or choir?”

This seemed to make him pause his meal, staring at me with a raised brow. “Duh, you think I would live in these reefs if I didn’t have a pod?”

He had a shiver? Yet, I haven’t seen them around the waters whenever he’s around. It probably meant they avoided the surface more than he did.

“What are they like?” He went back to munching on the flounders as I asked more questions.

“Eh, just like any pod really. My kin do what they want beneath the water.” It wasn’t really anything at all, giving me the most vague description of them as possible. I could only guess he didn’t trust me that much still.

“That’s nice, better than being alone.”

Sebastian nods, licking his fingers and lips as he finishes up eating. I was almost shocked at how fast he ate, but I could guess he really was hungry.

“What about you, do you have kin?” Sebastion rests his head into his palms, sitting up to get comfortable.

“Oh, not really. It’s just my dad, most of my immediate family isn’t around.” I shrugged, before glancing up towards Birdie’s hut. “I don’t mind though, I always seem to find folks that care for me.”

He seemed to lay there quietly for a minute or two, taking in what I said from how his brow furrows. “It doesn’t bother you?”

I shrugged once more, my hands resting on my knees now. “Not really, why would I be bothered when it would drag me into the mental dumps.”

He let out what I could assume was a low hiss or sigh, tapping his chin as I spoke. “That makes sense…”

As I was about to speak once more, he placed a small shell at my feet. “Well, if it makes you feel better about being stuck with your kin.”

I gently took the shell and my heart ached as if something was pulling its imaginary strings. My eyes tearing up at the way he handled such awkward opening up talk. Swirling the small shell between my fingers, it was smooth and had stripes of a few different colors. Even in the dark I could tell he had found a unique one.

“Thank you, Sebastian. I’ll be sure to keep it as a reminder then.” I stand up with a long sigh. “I’m getting a bit tired, I’ll head back to bed for now.”

He seems to frown, but glances away and nods. “Of course, you need rest.” His tone is a bit annoyed from what I could tell.

“Yeah, goodnight Sebastion. See you again soon!” I wave goodbye and I walk back to my tent. My heart pounding, I was stuck with way too many feelings and not wanting to think too much about them this late.

“Goodnight…” He called back, though the sounds of the island were much more noticeable in my ears once again. Pushing my way into the tent. When I finish, kick my shoes off once more and curl up in my bedroll once more.

Holding the small shell in my hands as I drift back to sleep once more.

It was a wonderful gift.

Chapter Text

In the dark of my mind, having my arm over my eyes to avoid sunlight as it filtered into the canvas of the tent. The waves lulled me into a barely awake state, not wanting to get out of my bedroll yet. I felt tired, my head feeling fuzzy and heavy from the fog of my dreams slipping from me despite trying to grasp at them. The weight of it all was like someone put sandbags on my limbs, I wondered why I had to wake up. It was far more peaceful in my mind, every dream was just a world I wished I could stay in. I clinged as hard as I could till nothing remained of the memory.

What snapped me out of this was the cries of a parrot. My mind had to process the sound despite hearing parrots and seagulls all the time on the Island, this one caused my heart to jump. As I realized the call was my name and not just random cries in the wind, getting up as I rushed up and almost flung myself out of my tent. Tripping on my own feet as I look around frantically. “Leo?”

As I called out, I felt a weight fall on my shoulders and I almost fell once more as I had to step forward just to prevent hurting myself and the now frantic Leo on my shoulders. Chirping and chattering, the words that I could pick up from him were mostly my name and him saying something about following him. Though I wasn’t ready for any type of adventure, if Leo needed something I wasn’t going to say no to the kid. “Leo, I’m going to need you to take a few deep breaths. You’re talking too fast.” I reach up to gently pat his head, looking around to see what he could’ve come to the other side of the Island in such a fuss for.

He took deep breaths even if I could feel the shifting of his wings, impatiently wanting to move now by the looks of it. “Come on! The mers!” That caught my attention, even if it didn’t explain his actions much or the fact he almost gave me a heart attack thinking Leo was in danger. “The Mers? Is there a pod passing through?” I turn to walk towards the east part of the Island, figuring moving as he explained was better than standing around like a fool. The sand was still a bit cool from all the puddles, which I was thankful for. I didn’t want to walk on hot sand.

“No, No! The mers are stuck!” He seemed a bit exasperated, I gently ran my fingers along his taloned foot as they tightened their grips on my shoulders. Even with my attempts to soothe him, I mostly had to stop myself from showing my worry from his words. That could mean anything, from being stuck in coral to being beached with no energy.

“Stuck, Can you show me where?” His wings spread, and I had to steady myself as he took off towards the little cove hidden along the rocky parts of the southern beach. Following behind, I worried that I would need to care for some poor merfolk that’s lash out at me. Again.

I still had a bit of a tired weight on my chest and I found my eyes feeling heavy and almost shutting as I walked. Each step felt like I wasn’t moving fast enough, maybe the adrenaline was making me lightheaded? I wasn’t sure, but I knew that I needed to be aware and awake for Leo. If he believed someone or an animal needed help I wasn’t going to let him solve the problem alone. Bringing a hand up to my oily hair, the warmth of my hand didn’t help wake me up further at all.

As I passed the rocky face, I looked around confused there was nothing in the small cove to indicate any merfolk activity. No dragging paths in the sand or blood. Just a plain cove, even with Leo flying above in circles. What was wrong? Where are these merfolks he was talking about? I walked further into the cove, scanning my surroundings with a raised brow.

I found myself drifting to the water just in case it was just a bundle of seaweed that looked like a mer in silhouette beneath the currents. While I walked along the water, it didn’t seem to have anything at all. Even some crabs and fish were visible but not what I was looking for. With a frown, I glanced up to Leo, who was still flying around in circles with a squeaking-like call. I could only assume it was screams of danger or at least that’s what I remember about parrots at least. Who knew what noises meant for harpies, I’m sure I could ask later. I still needed to find this merfolk.

The worry that it could be Sebastion that was the one stuck did fester in the back of my mind, after all, he was the only one I’ve seen more often than not relaxing on the shore and rocks out in the deeper water. Though if it was him, where would his pod be? Surely I’d see fins or even heads peaking out. I didn’t hear any calls or songs that indicated danger, but having a harpy above calling and screeching wasn’t making it easy to listen.

Motioning for Leo to land with one hand, the other blocking out the sun to watch him glide down with some grace as he crashes against me. Letting out a groan as catch him, my arms carefully wrapped around him to not damage his wings. “Leo, did you see where the mers were?”

He shook his head, “No, but I heard their call around here. It wasn’t like any songs or calls they’ve done before!” Still clinging to me he explains further, “I didn’t know what to do, so I flew over to you! I hoped you would know.”

My heart! It was so sweet that Leo trusted me enough to come to me when he didn’t understand things, I shook my head to ignore all the emotions that flooded me. I set him down carefully and gently ruffling his hair. “Thank you for coming to me then, Leo. I’ll find whoever it is.” He leaned into my hand as I ruffled my fingers through his brown hair. A small smile on my lips, even if I was tired and I wished to be in bed. Who wouldn’t feel a bit better after speaking with Leo?

“Does that mean I can see a mer then!” Leo asked excitedly, I couldn’t help but chuckle. Glancing around the cove before staring down at Leo once more.

“Yeah, we’ll find them and maybe you’ll make a new friend.” My hand left his hair as I got back to the search, I walked along the rocky walls of the cove now and looked at the suspicious boards in the sand and even broken barrels along the wall. It was weird to see something that looked like flooring just randomly against the stone wall. I didn’t see a rope for climbing and the wall wasn’t exactly an easy climb with bare hands. I shifted some of the broken wood out of the way and honestly, it was the most suspicious ass wall I’d ever seen.

Pressing my hand against the wall moving to inspect it, when putting more force on it caused me to only fall forward as the wall that I thought was stone was a door. Stumbling forward to catch myself as I hit the dirty ground. As I looked around I realized that I was in a cave of some kind, I moved to stand up and glanced back at Leo as he stared in shock that you fell into a hidden cave. “Woah! Secret cave!” He chattered, looking both excited and scared at the same time of the darkness. His wings were all fluffy now and he was attempting to settle the feathers down.

“Yeah, now Leo…” My tone became more firm as I gently placed my hand on his shoulder, “Can you watch the entrance of the cave for me? I’ll go in further and if I don’t see anything we can look further east on the island.” I stared into his eyes, wanting him to feel included without risking him getting hurt was all that plagued my thoughts. “Okay!” Leo puffed up his chest, before turning to watch the cove with his chin a bit higher now. It was adorable. “Alrighty, my little solider. I’m heading further in.” I chuckled softly, facing the dark once more and walking forward. There was a faint sound of dripping water and the echo of waves mixing with the calls of seagulls. Was there another entrance to the cave? However, as I took a few steps further, and almost fell into a small pond. Man, that would’ve sucked.

I continue forward once more, this time much more careful. Though as I walked deeper into the cave I realized it wasn’t that dark within. It probably only looked so dark before because I was outside. As I looked around the cave, it separated in two directions. One way seemed to be a hidden port. Will the other half seem to be a resting place? A few tables and barrels all about, the contents unknown to me that was for sure. I chose to search among the barrels and crates, I found a large box with a cover over it. Taking the grey-green cover off as I take in the sight before me, I let out a gasp. My hands launched to the glass box as I attempted to open it.

As I manage to open the box, I lift the lid. Reaching into the water to make sure she was still moving, a pale mermaid with shoulder-length ginger hair. Her tail is a reddish-grey colored tail, a pale underbelly with most of it being covered in warm brown strips throughout. Feeling her neck I held my breath.

A long exasperated sigh left me as I was hit with a feeling of relief. She was still breathing, though it was almost unnoticeable with how still she was.

“Dear Yoba, have mercy on me. You’re testing me…” I moved my hand out of the water, staring down at the mermaid. What was I to do, she wasn’t awake, and if I attempted to move her back into the ocean. She could freak out if she woke up in a stranger's arms after being locked up in a box.

“Leo! Come here for a moment, I found someone!” Sitting down on the ground, I stared at the mermaid who floated there. It was crazy to me that anyone would trap a mermaid.

There were soft skittering footsteps as Leo ran into the cave, before the sound of flapping wings and a screech. He had probably almost fallen into the little ponds as well. When I glanced away from the mermaid, I could see Leo standing just a few steps away with a wide-eyed stare. “Is that a mermaid?” His excitement instantly shined through as he scrambled closer to my side to peek into the box. “Why is she in a box? I thought mers like open spaces…” The childlike wonder really did shine through once again, his tail feathers wiggling from side to side.

“Yes, she is a mermaid. I’m not sure why she’s in a box, but she must be stuck. I was wondering if there was a way to help her back into the open ocean.” I explained with a soft tone, before running my hands through the messy strands of hair.

Leo then turned to me, “Why don’t you just wake her up?”

Man, I knew it was obvious but I also really didn’t want to get scratched again. “How would you wake her? She didn’t move when I checked her breathing.” I couldn’t help but laugh as he tilted his head and his furrowed brows just rang with a thousand words as Leo racked his mind for ideas.

“FISH!” He announced with a big grin, puffing up his chest and his hands on his waist looking so proud of himself.

“Fish? You want me to just put a fish in there?” I giggled softly, it was better than getting my hand bitten. Though I wasn’t sure if she was just sleeping.

“Okay, if you can fly to my camp and grab some fish out of my storage box for me… I’ll make you more poi?” I offered with a small smile, laughing as he chattered. Before turning quickly and running off to go get a fish.

“Yay! More poi!!!” That was all I heard as he was already at the cave’s entrance.

In the moment of silence and not having a bundle of joy with me, the waves were just white noise rattling in my skull. It was strange that at this moment, they weren’t comforting. Even in the storm when I was sure I would’ve died if I didn’t crash here, I remember feeling bliss and adrenaline pumping through my veins till I had blacked out. Walking up with Birdie tending to me in her hut, I still have no idea how she managed to drag me off the beach that day. I was too delirious for a few days. After all, Ginger Island was paradise in my head.

So why does my gut turn and twist uncomfortably as I watch over the mermaid? It’s not like I could have known there was this weird cave and someone was going around trying to capture the merfolks in the reef around the island. Though that meant whoever did put her here, knows that Birdie and I lived just past the main beach. If I managed to free her, would someone come for me?

I gently placed my hand against the cool glass, even when I heard the fluttering of wings and footsteps following behind them. I didn’t quite move from my spot at all, only glancing to see Leo and the one and only Birdie following after him.

“You kids are quite good at getting in trouble.” I couldn’t help but laugh at her comment, it was so true in some ways. Leo gasped as if he wasn’t the one who dragged me out of bed this morning for this rescue mission.

“Well, not much else to do than be little troublemakers.” I shrugged, before seeing the leftover tuna in Leo’s taloned hands. I motioned for him to hand it over as I didn’t feel like risking his fingers.

“Hmph, I’m going to have to make more bandages for you at this rate.”

As Leo passed me the tuna, I placed it into the water. My hand pulled back as the mermaid’s tail twitched, her jade eyes opening slowly as she reached forward and grabbed the floating meat. It wasn’t till she turned that she even noticed the box’s lid was still open. The water sloshed in the box as she moved to sit up, her hands gripping the box while attempting to climb out.

“Woah careful!” Reaching out to help her, not caring that my clothes would get soaked. Even when I felt the sharp claws digging into my sides, I attempted to pick her up. Hearing Birdie grumble as she moved on the other side to help lift the mermaid’s tail out of the tank. Leo had been skitterish and watching, most likely not wanting to hurt a future friend with his talons.

Settling down on the dirty stone floor, I felt my sides ache and feel a bit damp. Which I would deal with later, for now, I kept my focus on the mission. “Are you alright?”

A low grumble left her, “I’m better now, I can at least stretch now that I’m out of that awful box.” Her hand pressed into her locks pushing them back, before a small smile stretched on her face. “Thank you for helping me out though, I had thought I would’ve been stuck there.”

The would suck, the thought of being stuck in such a small space forever. I’d rather step on glass. “No problem really, Leo had heard you’re calls of distress. I’d thank him, I wouldn’t have known to search for you without his keen hearing.” I waved for Leo to step closer, hoping to boost his confidence with strangers.

He let out a chatter, his wings moving forward to cover himself up. Moving to look as small as possible, I should’ve expected that when he acted similarly when we first met.

“A harpy boy? I didn’t know there were harpies on this island.” That stung to hear, shifting to whisper as I didn’t want to hurt Leo’s feelings.

“He’s the only one I’ve seen on the whole island.” The look on the mermaid’s face turned into that sad yet motherly expression.

“Well, it’s nice to meet you Leo… Thank you for your help, I’m Robin.”

Chapter Text

After a long and somewhat awkward conversation with Robin, we said our goodbyes as she submerged under the surface of the small lake in the cave. I hoped she went back to her pod, it would be best if they left where they were staying close to the place where she was being held captive. The darkness started to consume the cave further, which seemed to be our sign to make our way back to Birdie’s hut. Leo rambled as we walked there, still excited that he finally met a merfolk. It was adorable, yet it did make me worry for his safety deep down… Whoever had captured Robin before could be anyone and who knew if they only targeted merfolks.

Once we arrived at the hut, we all sat around the fire together, “Birdie, did you always know that cave was there?” I glanced up from poking the fire with a stick, curled up with a blanket around me and Leo as we sat together on the ground beside the fire. My question was valid, she had lived here longer than I did. She was silent momentarily, staring off into the darkness slowly covering the island as night fell. “I did…” It was short and bittersweet in her tone, Birdie’s eyes always held a story. She always was like this, constantly filled with never-ending wisdom and years of untold events.

“Have you met the folks who use that cove?” I asked with a soft sigh escaping my lungs with a heavy weight on my shoulder. However, it was now the feeling of Leo’s head resting against me. A bit exhausted from all the socializing that the day had brought.

“Only a few times, but none of those folks ever seemed like the pouching type.” Birdie’s hands raised over the fire to warm her old bones. The frown that pulled at her wrinkled face just showed her worry. Though it was clear she was attempting to hold a strong face around Leo as well. Even if he was slowly drifting asleep in my arms.

“So… someone else is using these mystery folks' caves or did this group think that they’d get more gold from a few merfolks?” I knew it was a bit selfish to ask her questions; she wouldn’t know the answer either. My gaze fell to the warm flames that barely soothed the thoughts boiling in the back of my skull.

“I’m not sure, Dearie… I haven’t gone to visit the few who spend their evenings partying away in there like I used to.” She glanced at me with a small knowing smile. “But I do know you did the right thing. That sweet one, Robin. She didn’t seem like the type to enjoy being on display of any type.”

I closed my eyes and felt slightly warm inside, even if it didn’t lift much of the weight off my shoulders. It sure did remind me that I could trust one thing on this island. Birdie’s confidence. “Yeah, she did feel more like an adventurous soul. Any private museum or weird collector wouldn’t match her at all…”

Birdie laughed so softly for a moment I wondered if I even heard correctly at all, it wasn’t till I opened my eyes once more to see her staring out towards the glimmering black waters that I clicked why she was laughing. I could see the faint reflective shine of pupils in the water, just watching and not quite moving. Though I knew it wasn’t Robin from the fact she didn’t have a scowl the whole time we spoke and her hair wasn’t as black as the water that surrounded the merman in its waves.

It was amusing really, I had to wonder when he appeared from the water and how long he had been listening without thinking about venturing closer. Though if he had run into Robin, surely she warned him of the danger around the island now or even that we saved her. Deep down I just wished that was the case, I craved the feeling that Sebastion would trust me. “I think Leo should be tucked in… you mind if he stays in your hut tonight? I don’t want to carry him back to his nest.” I spoke softly, trying not to disturb the sleeping harpy as I gently scooped him up in my arms more securely as I stood up.

“Of course, Dearie. I wouldn’t leave the boy to sleep on the ground, he’d get a cold.” Birdie gently patted my back as I passed her to go setting Leo into her spare cot, making sure he was nice and snug. Once I finished tucking him into bed, I found myself glancing at Birdie as I shut the door.

“He’s still waiting.” She spoke matter-of-factly in the tone only a grandparent could have, before moving to walk into her hut with a small grin.

With that small push, I found myself standing just on the sand before the current. Sebastion had moved closer, most likely to avoid shouting across the waves and waking everyone up.

The silence between us broke as he spoke. “You know, I can smell the blood coming off you?”

Well, that was fucking ominous as all hell, even if that did make sense. His senses were probably sharper than many. “They’re just a few cuts really, nothing I haven’t handled before.”

I chuckled a bit, it was funny to see just how his scowl changed as I downplayed my wounds.

“What caused them?” He inquired with a raised brow like he didn’t believe me in the sightless. I could’ve sworn his tail caused the water to ripple around him as he waited for me to stop staring and speak up.

“Oh, you didn’t hear? There was a mermaid in need of some help, but when I did. She kinda nicked my sides, she didn’t mean to really. I’m sure she was more focused on getting out of that box I found her in.” I had rambled for a bit, sharing all I could without much thought. Even as I explained his usual frown had turned more complex. It was a hard read, I wish we could meet more in the day.

“No, I heard.” His voice seemed rather matter-of-fact, before slowly approaching closer to the sandy shore. “But that doesn’t mean that it’s just a mere cut…”

I raised a brow, even if I did have strange feelings for the merman. It felt weird that he was acting like me being hurt was a deal… I guess if I got an infection it would be, there isn’t a hospital around here. “You want to look at it? I’m okay though, this is nothing.”

He rolled his eyes, I could see the glow of his pupils shifting so I hoped it was him rolling his eyes. I moved to crouch a bit closer to the water, not wanting to dip into the cold waves. Lifting my shirt just enough for him to see my sides.

There were dark red lines along my sides, clearly scratch marks from Robin’s claws. “See they’re already healing up, no need to worry.”

As I closed my eyes with a warm smile, It quickly dropped as a grumble squeak left my lips his cold slimy hands touched my sides and I almost fell back in shock. “Yoba! You got cold ass hands!”

He let out an annoyed grumble and stopped me from falling back as he slowly examined the claw marks. His focus had caused my heart to race a bit. It was probably from the fact of his cold hands, I just was warming up from that.

“And you said it was an accident?” His voice cut out the swirling of thoughts rambling in the back of my mind.

“Oh yeah, she was trying to get steady. I don’t think it was malice with how sweet she was.” I shrugged with a small smile on my lips, though his focused gaze seemed to soften. His hands released my sides and rested on the sand as he stared Birdie’s hut down. “That’s good, I don’t need you having a reason to go around with a harpoon or whatever,” Sebastion grumbled and slowly tried to shift back into the water.

“Of course, 'cause I have a harpoon…” I had rolled my eyes, sarcasm thick. “I wasn’t the type of fisherman to carry them.” Figuring I should be honest about such things since he first believed me to be some merfolk porcher to begin with.

He let out some soft hiss noise, and then a chuckle left him. “Really? You weren’t worried about being attacked by some sea monster?”

That was a valid question, many beings of this world would attack me without much hesitance. “I usually get oils for the avoidance of anything that isn’t a fish.” This was true, I had used the more common oils that caused monsters or beasts to become avoidant. They were more commonly used by miners.

“Would you use one of them on me?” Sebastion asked as the water laps around his form. The black waters glimmer in the moonlight, the clouds parting enough to see more of his expression.

“On you? I wouldn’t want to avoid you.” I chuckled softly, and gently pulled my shirt. Remembering to do so as the cold air hit me, a shiver going through my body. Crossing my arms over my chest in hopes of preserving warmth, it's not like I had found any more golden walnuts in the past days to pay the parrots.

In the moonlight, I could see the small smile pulling at his lips. Yoba, why’d he have to look at me like that? My face felt like it was burning. “Really? I haven’t been the nicest.” His voice was almost washed over by the waves, my hands gently pressing to my cheek. Trying to calm down my racing heart.

“Eh, I can forgive that. It’s not like you were trying to eat me or steal my fingers.” He chuckled at that one, nodding as his tail flicked some water around.

“That’s true, but how can you be so sure I won’t do that?” Soft giggles erupt from my chest as I can’t stop it. His tone was teasing as he poked my leg now. His touch was careful, most likely to prevent scratching me with his claws.

“Because you’re like… twice my size? Maybe? If you wanted to do that, you could’ve dragged me into the water.” I let out a long sigh, I never really had a full view of him so measuring him was just attempting basic math I really didn't feel like doing.

Sebastion nods, his tail slowly flicking and splashing in the water. “Fair point.” Before giving my leg a gentle pull, mostly making me fall back and land on my rear. A laugh left my lips, my arms unfolding to prevent myself from completely falling back. The sand was cool against my skin, just reminding me of my failure to properly dress this morning for the island's ever-changing weather.

“Hey, just cause I said it was possible doesn’t mean I want to be in the freezing water.” Smacking at his hand with little effort behind it. His lips parted as if offended by my weak attack. “Why not?” He raised a brow once more, though he had let go. Sebastian took the relieved sigh that left me as a sign that it was okay to splash me with the cold ass ocean water.

Damn, guess war it is then.

Chapter Text

Standing there soaked and freezing, probably looking like a sad wet dog. Those crusty white dogs with sad eyes with how I was shivering.

Despite that, I was laughing. When that ‘fight’ started between Sebastion and I, It was like I was a kid again. Feeling that playful glee that I had completely forgotten I was hurt. Splashing and swimming around till I grew too tired, I found myself floating along with him.

His hands gently held me while he glided through the waves as if it was nothing. It was rather amusing when I did try to leave his side, he clinged harder for a moment. Having his arms wrap around me with a sorrowful look in his eyes as our time together went by in what felt like a flash.

I knew It would be best if I got into dry clothes to prevent myself from getting sick. I didn’t want Birdie to deal with me being delirious again, not to mention that Leo would throw a fit. It wouldn’t have been the greatest thing to say something along the lines of ‘I threw up’ or something equal to that.

After venturing back to my camp. I found myself sitting in front of the fire, slowly drying off and hanging up my clothes. Despite being exhausted, I wasn’t able to fall asleep.

My chest felt all warm and fuzzy, the sound of Sebastian's laughter rattling in my skull. His voice was so nice, I wish I could hear him sing. I couldn’t help but wonder, would it have the same warm yet moody sound?

The waves crashing against the shore made me sway slightly in my spot, softly humming as I closed my eyes. My hands slowly rubbed together close to the flame, warming them up as I felt the drumming of emotions running through my veins take its course with each long breath.

The song in my mind was so faint and I couldn’t really remember the words.

After a few more minutes beside the fire, I moved inside my tent. Looking at my messy nest of a bedroll and all my stuff. It was way more messy than even Leo’s nest at times. I hadn’t been the neatest person, even before the crash.

I thought about cleaning up, before shrugging and flopping into my bedding and curling up in the blankets.

Letting the darkness slowly consume me as I drifted to sleep. My mind fills with nothing but pleasant yet embarrassing thoughts.
_✦ ⋆ · 　 *　 ⋆ ✧　 　 · 　 ✧✵ · ✵_

The waves crashed and swirled in the early morning currents, the thrill of the night still racing through my body. I found myself swimming all along the coral reefs in a mood I still wasn’t used to. The only thing keeping my mind at peace was the fresh blood hitting my tongue as I consumed another tuna that had failed to flee my chase.

It wasn’t till I made my way deeper into the coral reef that I found myself being pestered by my mother once more, her grin spoke volumes as she carried some wood she had most likely found drifting along the shore line.

“Did you see her again? How long have you been speaking to her?” My mother’s questions echoing along the waters as we made our way back to the cave we called home.

“Yes… I haven’t really been speaking to her. It’s been mostly… mutual trading.” Hoping the dismissal would get her off my tail. I knew that she was pretty open to the idea of me finding someone who wasn’t just the next mermaid, but this caused most likely from when she got saved by said human.

“Are you thinking about giving her your shell?”

“I’m not even sure she knows about such things.” I felt my pointed ears burning, laughing as I turned to see if Maru was also back from her trip from the ship graveyard. She always seemed fascinated in the human scraps of metals and attempting to make something from herself.

“You could just tell her, she may even figure it out beforehand.”

Of course, because the oldest traditions would be known by some random human woman… but she wasn’t truly random anymore. Not after everything, she had helped my mother even without knowing such things. She was sharing catches with me like I was already her pod.

This human woman was going to be the death of me. If not for the chatter I will now be hearing none-stop from my mother or from feeling the need to keep visiting her. Risking being caught by the same fools that thought they could take away my pod’s matriarch.

“If she does…” I found myself a bit lost. “I’ll just have to hope she doesn’t lash out at me…”

She rolls her eyes, before swimming off to Demetrius. She must be trying to get back into the comfort of the open waters again after being away for those few days.

Though my mother hasn’t told us much of her capture, she seemed less shaken up about it then the rest of us.

I swam to the small part of the cave where Maru kept her hoard. Finding her pulling apart something metallic.

“Maru, what are you doing?” I swam closer, keeping above the pieces that covered the cave’s floor.

“Just a project… there was some new stuff floating around the ship wrecks…” Maru didn’t even look up from her work as she twisted and shaped the metal with relative ease. I knew mer eels had some fascination with the devices humans made. Always wanting to know how they made them work.

“You’re sure none of this stuff can make human’s find us?” I didn’t dare poke around them despite knowing a thing or two of these things.

“Of course I’m sure, we’re not having another snatching happen in this pod.” She looked up with a small frown, I couldn’t help my worry.

After my father’s capture and most likely death, I had become the guardian of the pod. Even with Maru’s father being chosen as my mother’s new mate. I felt every part of my being that made me want to keep us all from experiencing that pain again.

“That’s good… I’m going to sleep soon. I had a long night.” I nod as I watch her work a bit longer before drifting my way to my part of the cave, I could hear her calm “Sleep well,” echo through the water.

“You too.” I called back to her, even as the morning sun started to light the waves outside the cave.

It wasn’t like I stayed up most mornings anyways.

Chapter Text

Day by day went by while Sebastion found himself visiting the surface to spend time with his favorite humans and harpy. Each morning when he returned to his pod, he found his mind growing anxious of leaving them alone on the land.

Sure, it seems they’ve been handling themselves well but perhaps it’s the fact he wouldn’t be able to save them if anything happened past the beach.

‘This must be a sign’, Sebastion thought, after all that means he wants to be their guardian… or more?

Leaving him to fumble around with his shell between his fingers, resting atop of a large rock.

Even watching the woman as she walked in circles as if they forgot what she was doing.

Was this how mom meant when she described what love felt like?

He didn’t see the appeal before, perhaps because it never arrived till now. Where he had least expected it.

Gently messing with the shell once more, he should just ask her. Tell her that she was clearly his, but that underlying worry would scare them away, gnawing at him like many little fishes swimming around in his gut.

Finally, Sebastion slips away from the large rock and closer to the shore. His gut felt as if small little fish were swirling around.

His heart was loud in his chest, laying out on the sandy beach Sebastion’s face burns up further. His tail gently splashing in the water.

He wished to reach out and hold her.

She had already wandered off into the tent, it seemed to be the place she rested in. Though she said recently that she had almost found enough golden walnuts that the parrots would build her a hut soon… what’ve that meant.

All he knew is that he could give her some, seeing as these walnuts have been around the coral reefs for a while. It would be the perfect gift.

Sebastian shifted in the sand, attempting to crawl closer to her tent. Nervously, he listened to see if she was even still awake.

Hearing some vague movement inside, he managed to crawl to the tent’s flaps. “Y/n?”

He called out, mentally praying that he hadn’t frightened her for only speaking now that he was close.

Peeking her head out the tent and looking down to see him, she bursted into laughter and opened the flaps further before crocheting down. “Sebastian, what are you doing so far from the water? Are you trying to dry out?”

“No, I wanted to give you something.” His gaze peered curiously at the insides of the tent. From the looks of it she basically had a nest of times spewed about. From fishrods to just a pile of pillows and blankets, it was interesting to see the differences between them.

“Let me guess… is it tuna?” She giggled and his gut felt like it was doing flips. He had to shake his head, before gently nudging his way closer to her. Seeing as she leaned back to now sit on the ground, he rests his head on her lap. His arms wrapped around her waist as he took in a deep breath. It was nice having her scent all for himself.

“No… guess again…” He mumbled, earning him more of her warm laughter and a hand gently running through his raven hair.

“Hmm, what about a shiny rock?”

“Wrong again…” He muttered, his nose gently nudging against her gut before glancing up at her.

“Are you the gift?” She joked, making his cheeks flare up a bright red before hiding it against her stomach once more.

“No… that makes no sense, how can I be a gift?” Sebastion arms gave her a small squeeze, he was practically wiggling closer to cuddle. Attempting to make it seem like he wasn’t as he clinged to his favorite person.

“Because you’re a joy to be around, like my own personal rain cloud.” Y/n joked, before giving him a gently hugging squeeze back.

“Well, your guess was wrong anyways… I brought you some of those walnuts that you keep rambling about. I truly don’t understand why you need them, you already have a tent...” He sighed, hiding his flustered face still as he lifted his kelp net bag for her to see. There were plenty of golden shines inside.

“Oh! Thank you! As much as I already have a tent, this thing doesn’t have a shower or really any privacy at all.” She took the kelp bag and gently set it to the side. “I’ll be sure to put those to good use, but for now. What can I give you as thanks for your wonderful gift?”

Sebastion’s ears perked at the idea that he would get something back, he racked through his head before coming to one thought that seemed to be the most appealing.

“I want a kiss.” He tilted his head so it would no longer be hiding against her shirt.

“A kiss?” She stared for a moment, her own face burning up a bit as her eyes stared deeply into his. For a moment Sebastion completely forgot he asked such things when she was looking so beautiful.

“If that’s okay with you, I’m not sure how much kisses mean to humans…” His words slipped into nothing as she leaned forward and placed a soft but short kiss on his lips. The moment she pulled away, it felt like Sebastion was chasing a sugar high. Wondering why he couldn’t savor it just a bit longer.

“Seems like I got a fair trade then, one kiss for a whole bag of golden walnuts.”

He let out a soft growl before moving to lay more atop of her, pinning her beneath his body and the tent’s flooring. Before gently stealing another kiss. “... that’s not fair at all, I found so many!”

Despite the fact she was at first shocked at his quickness to be greedy, she laughed into the kisses he was stealing for her lips. Gently bringing her hands to his hair once more and running them through his locks with care yet pulling him in for a longer kiss.

The air he was breathing in after each kiss felt hot and humid, yet something he craved even more of.

Was it possible that she knew magic of some kind? This clearly was a spell, not that he minded. The warmth of her body beneath him was comforting, it had Sebastian try to hold her closer. Hands having slipped beneath her shirt, gently tracing the small scarring that was there.

A soft musically rumbling within his chest, as she leaned further into his touch. Only pulling away from the kiss as his lungs started to feel a burn.

His tail fin gently thumping against the ground, pupils were wide as he took in the view of her red lips and messy hair, she was so beautiful.

She was his…

Chapter Text

Maru was in the midst of tinkering away inside a part of her makeshift workshop. The soft bioluminescence lights along the ceiling kept it just bright enough to find things without it being too harsh on her eyes. A large yet flat piece of stone as her table with most of her tools laid out atop of it, messy yet organised in her own way.

Most of these tools had been stolen from sunken ships and made from scraps of washed up items from the other shores. Likely lost during a storm. Not that she cared how she acquired these things, just that Maru was able to use them for her little hobby.

Having attempted to make fishing nets that opened from inside small boxes to help the pod catch food more easily, to little robots. Though these hadn’t lasted for long, still having a few kinks to fix. Perhaps it was getting these things to work deeper in water.

It just felt nice to work on something so complicated, her mind felt a dazy as she bent over her project. Testing and fixing and testing again, it was honestly soothing for her.

It was while Maru was fixing her current project, carefully reattaching the parts together in hopes to create a new robot did she notice there was a shifting with the currents that had pulled her gaze away from her work.

Blinking up at the entry of her workshop to see if her mother or father had come to retrieve something. Instead, it was oddly quiet within the pod’s home.

With the flick of her tail, Maru swam forward.

Glancing out the room, Maru found the bioluminescent lights along the ceiling of their home had shown no movement of either parent.

Her curiosity stirs inside her chest, usually they would warn Maru ahead of time if they planned to go hunting and not be here defending their home.

Leaving her unaware and distracted while she was the only guard of the pod’s territory had barely gone well before.

Slithering through the water, Maru sent out a soft hissing call. The water at the entrance of their home was a glimmer light blue, the day light seeping into their home. A soft hiss calls back as Demetris is floating almost still at the entrance, the currents rocking him gently where he rests.

Maru slithered to her father’s side and glanced out to the coral reef that surrounded their home and past it was the long endless expanse.

…

“What’s wrong?” Maru was the first to break the silence, her gaze turning back to Demetris. His brows furrowed and hands slightly clenched.

He lets out a long sigh, though it was strained as his gaze doesn’t break from the coral reef.

“I spotted a ship last night.”

Maru felt her gut twisting with worry at those words, she hates to imagine what her father is assuming. It was likely not much better than the concoction of thoughts brewing in her mind.

“Did you spot any flags?” Maru found herself now glancing around the water’s surface for large shadows.

“No… but Robin decided it’s still best to go hunting.” He muttered, the tension in his words told Maru all she needed to know.

“You don’t think the pirates are back again?”

“I’m not sure, but I'd rather not find out the hard way.”

“Well, why didn’t you go hunting with her? Sebastion can take over while you’re gone?” Maru hadn’t seen her brother around yet today, but surely he wouldn’t mind. He was the next protector of the pod after all.

“He’s away on the surface, I believe he planned to finally give the human woman his shell?” Demetris exhales, rubbing his face as he frowns.

“Oh, you think he’ll be gone for a while then?”

“...Possibly…”

“Well… why don’t I take over watch then! You can go find mom and I can wait for Sebastion to get his tail home.”

Demetris gaze snaps from its watch and turns to look at her, before replying quickly. His words laced heavily with a strict growl. “No, I’ll not leave my only daughter alone to guard when there is something lurking about.”

Maru lets out an annoyed hiss, crossing her arms as she debates taking on the argument. “Why not? I have plenty of tools to defend myself and the terrority?”

She knows why he doesn’t want her to be alone, but it still felt a sting in her chest as he denied her offer, she’s older now and grown more wise. She could defend and protect her new home just as much as everyone else does.

“If you get taken-” Demetris stops before he can continue, choking on his own words. The way his pupils shrink and grow almost causes Maru to back down, she hates to relive the memories too. However, she didn’t want to be babied just because of the past.

“You’ll feel just as horrible if you lose mom. Dad… Please trust me on this, I’m not a guppy anymore.” Reaching out to take his hand into hers. Letting him ground himself once more.

Demetris lifts her hand to his chest, eyes closing in silent prayer to the ocean for mercy. After a moment of this silence, his eyes open once more. Finally giving Maru a short nod, gently squeezing her hand as he speaks.

“I’ll go, but if there is any sign of danger you hide as quickly as the currents will take you.”

Maru sighs, perhaps this was just small steps is all she can manage to get from him for now.

“I will, now go… I’m sure you’re dying to see, mom.”

Demetris pulls Maru into a hug, soft laughter erupts from his chest. “Oh my little star… you’re so stubborn, I wonder where you get it from.”

“I wouldn’t have a clue, dad.” She gives her father a big squeeze before letting him go. Getting pushing him out the cavern’s entrance.

“Now go!!!” Maru playfully hisses at her father, watching him swim away finally.

“Fine, fine, I’ll go.” His laughter fading as he swims further away, likely quieting down as he travels with the currents.

Maru had the whole territory to herself now, she had been worried of the possibility of a pirate ship around these parts again but just hoped it was just one of those ships with lots of boxes on it. She just wanted to have an excuse to find new things for her to tear apart and put back together.

For now, she’d just swim around the terrority and enjoy the sunlight while it was still out.
-
As the light started to fade and the warmth of the sunlight left, Maru found herself slowly pacing along the cavern. Tidying up any leftover bones and rearranging her nest a few times as the time continued to pass while no one returned home.

Hunts didn’t take too long around these parts of the islands, but she had figured perhaps her parents were just enjoying their time alone.

That’s what she’d been telling herself as each second made her thoughts grow more and more anxious.

Didn’t help that Sebastion was still on the surface spending time with his chosen mate, while unaware of the possibility of a ship in their waters.

Should she leave to find Sebastian… should she stay-

The water’s at the entrance shifted as someone came swimming in at top speed, causing Maru to panic, slithering into her room and under her table. Perhaps, she should’ve gone with her father. Hunting sounds a whole lot better right now.

As she curled into herself, she heard a clicking call of her pod.

It was Robin! Oh dear waves, she really needs to stop overthinking things. What was she thinking, some crazy monster had come to attack. A laugh left Maru as she swam out from under her table, calling back to Robin. Whos calls have gotten louder the deeper in the cavern she got.

Maru yelps as she finds herself being pulled into a squeezing hug.

Robin held Maru close to her chest with a rumble, only letting her go after Maru squirmed to escape.

“Where’s dad? Didn’t he go hunting with you?”