Chapter Text
When I first fell from my ship, all I could focus on were the brilliant reds and dazzling oranges of the fire. Next came the shock once the freezing water enveloped my body. My hands, already starting to become numb from the temperature, try to unbuckle my belt which carries heavy weapons. What use is a trusted weapon when you're fighting against something that does not bleed? My air starts to run out because of my panicked movements and my arms slow down increasingly , as well as my legs. I sink, the bright light of the fire on the surface fading away. My mouth opens in a futile attempt to cry for help, air bubbles rising to the surface and displaying the loss of the little air I have left. My vision becomes blurry and then dark at the edges as my lungs burned agonisingly slow, craving oxygen.
Something touches my face, but I cannot respond to the contact. The sensation goes away, only to wrap around my right bicep. It tugs and I feel the water moving around me. I force my eyes open to try and see what could possibly be pulling me through the dark space of the ocean. It becomes increasingly difficult to focus, but I make out the vague shapes of reef sharks as well as a fluther of moon jellyfish. My eyes soon close once again, the tugging from the unknown source becoming more urgent. The burning in my lungs stop - am I dying? Am I already dead?
Something cold touches my lips. I wouldn't have felt anything if I were dead, right? A burst of air fills my lungs and my body responds accordingly by coughing up every drop of water I inhaled. It hurts, but it felt good to finally be able to breathe again. A few more hacking coughs and I am allowed to inhale and exhale with ease. I open my eyes cautiously, finding a dimly lit light roof above me. Roof is the incorrect word for what I see, actually. A dark dome of glistening rocks stretches over me, dew-like drops falling to the smooth rock bedding on which I am lying on. My dark coloured eyes sway to my left. The dark stone wall merges with the floor, effectively creating a fishbowl shape. I turn my head to the right. I may have been in too much shock to scream, but my eyes lock onto something I have only ever dreamed of.
A mermaid. Well, to be specific, a merman. He has deep blue eyes which practically reflect the waters that surround him. Dark brown hair, which drips with water, is plastered to his forehead. I expected his skin to be milky white but instead it's an exotic tanned brown. Ears are replaced with extensions of the ear cartilage and joined by a thin, blue webbing. His fingers are also joined by the same blue webbing. The first six vertebrae on his back seem to extend into cartilage-like fins for streamlining. His lower body is hidden from sight, since he's half submerged in the water.
Speaking of the water, I could swear that it is glowing. I try to lift my head to look at the mysterious light, but a piercing headache stops me and leaves me groaning in agony.
"Try and be still," the merman suddenly speaks. I shift my gaze to him once again - he's leaning on his elbows and watching me intently with those beautiful blue eyes. A scowl forms on my face as I look away quickly, ignoring all following thoughts on the creature's looks. "What do the surface dwellers call you?" Once again, my dark eyes snap back to the merman. It's like he has me under some spell - his voice is alluring and captivating.
"Keith Kogane," I breathe out. This siren is probably going to reel me in with that dazzling smile he's showing now and then drown me. He's going to feed my corpse to his pet shark and I'll disappear from this Earth and-
"In your language, my name would be pronounced as 'Lance'." My thoughts are stopped by his smooth voice again. Why couldn't I have gotten such a velvety voice? Mother always said that a deep and rough voice is all the craze for women - the sound of Lance's voice is much more appealing to me. The merman leans forward and swipes my hair out of my face, feeling my temperature. "Well, you're not dying, that's for sure."
How come my face feels so hot now? Am I going into shock? Shouldn't I be cold, then? "I feel like I'm in heaven, though," I say before I could stop myself. The merman stops, looking at me intensely. Oh dear Mody Dick, did I just scare off the most darling creature I've ever met? Here I am, a feared pirate on all the seven seas, and I blush like a maiden meeting the King of England. I am supposed to take the merman like he belongs to me in the first place!
Then why am I not? Because he saved my life? Because he's so mythical and gorgeous? His tanned skin is absolutely flawless, and his torso is well muscled because of such vigorous swimmimg his entire life. I catch sight of his tail - a sparkling array of blues and purples, and the fins are swaying with his elegant movements and -- Davy Jones have mercy on my soul.
"I guess the sunken ship brought me sunken treasure as well," Lance replies. He has a smug look on his face, his head leaning on his webbed hand. I slowly attempt to sit up, my head much clearer now that it was before. Our eyes, a dangerously dark and brilliant blue pair, examine the other male in front of us. Sunken treasure, ey?
Looks like I might be able to have this merman for myself after all.