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Servais had always hated mermaids.
It was in his nature after all. What crew member of Blackbeard the Great would he be if he hadn’t felt this way? He had been raised well aware of their traitorous appearances. Mermaids may look elegant and beautiful, but they were true masters of disguise. Just below the surface laid mischievous creatures that used their beauty to lure pirates astray.
Knowing this fact, Servais was sure to be cautious at sea. He always followed the captain’s orders diligently and strived to do the best he possibly could. He was First Mate after all; held in high regard above his peers, although with Pierson on the crew that wasn’t saying much. Nonetheless, Servais prided himself in his work. Everything he did was in the name of his captain, and he wouldn’t want it any other way.
Dedication soon gave way to confidence, his achilles heel. Servais often felt above his crewmates, like he was the favorite crew member. He had the largest ego amongst the crew, and yet he held on to an even larger secret. He had never once seen a mermaid.
In all his years of fishing and sailing, Servais Le Roy, Blackbeard’s right-hand man, had never seen a mermaid. The oh-so confident first mate was not even sure if these beings really existed. Although, he could never let on to this suspicion. He feared what his fellow pirates would think had they known his secret. The mere thought of their jeering shouts was enough to turn his stomach. Was the First Mate a fraud? How had he never seen a mermaid before? Was everything they worked for their entire life a lie?!
He had to keep his secret under wraps for the sake of his less intellectual comrades. Servais knew well enough on his own that their riches didn’t come from hunting mermaids, anyone with half a brain could tell. Blackbeard has a knack for stealing from innocent passing ships, slaughtering the entire crew in the process. All of their riches came from exploits such as those, not precious mermaid scales that probably didn’t exist.
Servais felt that their captain was truly evil— but he had no reason to accuse him. After all, Blackbeard was the reason he had such a powerful position. He never once treated him wrong, and that sentiment conflicted with the man Servais knew Blackbeard to be. It was much simpler to turn a blind eye to all the murder that their crew was built upon than to acknowledge the issue.
So Servais kept his doubts hidden from his comrades, suspecting the captain from the seat right beside him. It wasn’t until that cursed day he was sent below deck that everything changed.
-
“Oi, Le Roy! Cap’n said it’s your turn to scrub below deck! Hop to it, First Mate.”
Servais could recognize that shrill, agitating voice from anywhere. Leave it to Kreacher to boss him around the first chance he got. It was clear Pierson was trying to ruffle his feathers by the way he leaned against their bedroom door, mockingly using his official title.
“Aren’t you supposed to be on toilet duty, Pierson? You’d better get scrubbing, I heard dinner didn’t sit well with the crew last night.” Servais retorted, brushing past Kreacher and moving toward below deck. Kreacher stood there for a second, huffing out the beginnings of words before storming off towards the bathrooms to get cleaning.
Servais made quick work of entering the lower deck of the ship. His captain did not care for time wasted, and he did not intend on upsetting him. He headed straight towards the cleaning supplies placed in the corner of the room, grabbing his mop and bucket and promptly starting.
It had been merely seconds before Servais knew something was wrong. It was as though a storm cloud formed above his head, heavy droplets falling onto his button-up shirt. This feeling of dread seemed to be coming from a door near the very back corner of the room, the captain’s private quarters. Servais had never been allowed in there before, but curiosity was beginning to eat at him. Maybe just one quick look…what harm could it possibly do?
He soon decided there was no way he could continue to work in these conditions; he just had to open that door. It would be far too distracting to try and ignore it. He was sure the captain would forgive him, as it was a necessity in ensuring his work was up to par.
Servais approached the door with quick strides across the floor. The unease within him grew in intensity with each step he took, a boiling cauldron of anxiety threatening to spill over. His hand stopped just above the doorknob, shaking ever so slightly as he reasoned with himself once more. I have to do this. I am not going to get in trouble. Without giving it another thought, he twisted the knob and opened the dreadful door.
Servais nearly dropped the mop he had tightly gripped in his other hand at the sight before him.
The room was indeed rather small, and it was void of most furniture. There was a large tank in the center of the room that contained a mermaid, to Servais’s surprise. His arms were draped over the edge of the tank, carelessly dripping water onto the hard wood floors. He was slumped forward against the wall of the enclosure, head resting atop an arm. His eyes rose to meet Servais standing idly in the doorway and the fear in his expression was palpable.
Servais was immediately enamored at the sight. Never before had he seen a creature so beautiful. The mermaid’s tail was akin to a priceless treasure, scales shining a bright silver and gold from under the water. His soft hair framed his face perfectly, highlighting big round cheeks and wide eyes. There was a prominent scar through his right eye, but it only furthered the creature’s breathtaking appearance. He never knew that mermaids could be this… stunning.
Servais found it hard to look away, but he remembered his captain’s training and spoke, “You do realize you’re dripping water all over the captain’s floor, right?” The words felt forced leaving his lips, like he had accidentally bared his metaphorical fangs. The mermaid’s eyes grew wider at the harsh words spoken from the pirate, although the expression soon morphed into distaste. This was just as he had anticipated from a hot-headed pirate, they were all the same. He pulled his arms away from the edge of the tank and wrapped them around himself. His head was no longer resting peacefully, and his relaxed posture had turned stiff and uncertain.
“What… are you doing here?” The mermaid spoke bluntly, now seemingly unafraid of the pirate.
“I think I should be the one asking that question.” Servais sneered, inching closer to the tank and pointing his finger with a grimace. The mermaid sighed heavily, approaching the edge of the enclosure once more.
He spoke quickly, “I don’t owe you any explanation, seeing as you're the one that did this to me. All you pirates are the same.” The mermaid’s previous nonchalant demeanor had seemingly disappeared, replaced with a harsh and agitated tone. He was gripping the tank’s edge tightly, knuckles turning white.
“I did this to you? I don’t even know who you are! Why would I care enough to capture the likes of you?” Servais jeered, turning his nose up towards the creature before him. He should have known this mermaid’s beauty was too good to be true. The creature fell silent despite his irritated expression, opting to submerge himself under the water of the tank to avoid further conversation.
Servais decided to show himself the door; this foul creature clearly did not want to talk anymore. That was perfectly fine with him! He would go back to his room, poke fun at Pierson about his cleaning duty, and sleep like a baby knowing that this horribly rude mermaid wasn’t long for this world.
At least that’s what he had hoped to do.
Servais found himself tossing back and forth in his bunk, Kreacher snoring obnoxiously from across the room not helping one bit. For some reason, that obnoxious mermaid wouldn’t leave his mind. He wished he had never gone into that cursed room. If he never knew of the mermaid’s existence, it wouldn’t be plaguing his thoughts, keeping him awake at night.
One particular thought came to the forefront of his mind, so suddenly that it was barely there, but just long enough to cause Servais to jolt up in bed. Does my fascination stem from wishing to save him? The thought parted as quickly as it came, leaving a feeling of guilt and confusion in its wake. There was no way that’s what he wanted! He barely even knew this mermaid aside from a few unfriendly words they exchanged, what could possibly urge him to rescue that creature?
What would the captain think of me? The thought arrived as quickly as the last one. He couldn’t help but feel like a traitor to his crew, the very crew that saved him from a life of poverty and misfortune. He couldn’t just go against the captain’s orders… not for some random mermaid.
He wasn’t going to get any rest like this. Servais soon found himself tip-toeing out of his room, down the stairs, and into the lower deck.
He had no idea what came over him. A sudden spark of curiosity urged him to go and see the mermaid again. Servais quietly prayed the creature would be asleep, that way he could catch a glimpse without an awkward conversation. The pirate was certain these thoughts were stemming from his innocent curiosity of seeing a mermaid for the first time. He just needed to see him once more, that would surely alleviate his unpleasant thoughts. His mind would be satiated having seen the fascinating creature, and he would then be able to forget about him.
He hesitantly pushed the door of the secret room open before rushing inside so as to not be caught in the act. The mermaid was fast asleep in his tank, looking nearly lifeless save for the twitch of his tail every few seconds. Servais couldn’t help but stare all over again, admiring the soft expression on his sleeping face. No wonder he had been so enamored, this mermaid was truly breathtaking. He stepped closer to the tank, accidentally landing on an uneven board. The mermaid shot up, immediately on high alert, fear present in his eyes. His expression only softened once he realized it was just Servais, the mouthy pirate.
“Oh, you again… What do you want?” His tone immediately turned cold, contrasting his gentle appearance. Servais suddenly felt uneasy, the sudden urge to snap back with a witty and unpleasant comment rising in his chest.
“Captain told me to come and check on you.” He easily lied, averting his eyes from the breathtaking creature before him. Although he was only here out of curiosity, the prospect seemed too embarrassing to admit. He did not want to give the creature the upper hand in their conversation.
“We both know that’s not true, the captain doesn’t know you’ve been in here yet.” The mermaid accused him, staring at the pirate with that slightly irritated look he had earlier. Servais felt his face heat up having been caught, immediately blurting out whatever response came to him first.
“Whatever! It doesn’t matter why I’m here, I’m leaving anyway!” Servais practically shouted, just barely remembering to be quiet so as to not wake any crewmates. With that final comment, he bolted out the door without looking back, shutting the door quickly behind him. A splash of water was heard from the other side of the door, and Servais could swear it was poking fun at him, urging him to come back and defend himself. It wasn’t long before silence fell over everything once more, and Servais found his bearings again.
What was that…?
Had he really just snuck out in the middle of the night like a teenager…just to visit a mermaid he had just met? What had come over him! Such reckless behavior from the first mate was unexpected, what would the captain think if he caught him in the act?
Servais tried his best to ignore the pressing thoughts that hadn’t vanished after the impromptu meeting. It seemed as though his curiosity only doubled. With a sigh, the pirate began the ascent back to his room, making it back to his quarters in no time. Just as he was about to open the door, he heard a voice speak from behind him.
“What are you doing?”
Servais whipped around, having been caught in the act of walking around after curfew. He was met with a curious Fiona eyeing him suspiciously. He would have to explain himself or she would find out what was going on.
Servais began to form words when Fiona cut him off and said, “Were you visiting the mermaid? Oh he’s quite lovely, isn’t he?” Her tone suddenly perked up as she realized what he was up to. Servais felt the words fall out of his open mouth, staring at Fiona and unable to respond. How did she know? And how was he ‘lovely’?
Instead of waiting for an answer, she continued talking.
“You know, I think the two of you would get along quite well…You have a lot more in common than you’d think!” She giggled, seemingly knowing exactly what took place between the pair. He simply stared at her as she bid him farewell and headed back to her quarters for the night.
Confused and slightly unsettled from the exchange, Servais decided to retire to his bed and think over what just happened in the morning. He was asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow, exhaustion taking over.
-
Servais found himself in the center of the ocean, crew and signs of land nowhere in sight. He was struggling to keep himself afloat, the strong waves crashing against him with every breath he took.
He tried to shout for help, desperately hoping someone would hear him in this vast ocean, but his lungs began to fill with water. The dark and murky water invaded his throat, suffocating him in its filth.
He clawed at the air, grasping at nothing in the hopes that he could pull himself out. Tears began to spill from his eyes and mix with the blackened water surrounding him– killing him.
The pirate gets dragged down and down, the light from the sun fading with each passing second. Just as he was about to succumb to the depths, a blinding light plunged into the waters, illuminating everything around him.
He yearned to look at what had rescued him, and yet he cannot see it, for the light is far too bright. It feels similar to attempting to stare at the sun for too long– it is much greater than him. His eyes begin to adjust…he can almost make out the silhouette of someone–
Servais woke with a shout, his eyes shot open and his hands gripped at his throat. The sensation of drowning felt so visceral despite having all been a dream. He looked over to see Kreacher’s bed empty, light shining in from their bedroom window. He most likely missed breakfast with the crew and would have to eat alone– more time stuck with his thoughts.
The pirate quickly got dressed in suitable attire and left his bedroom to head for the dining room. This area was below deck, on the opposite side from the captain’s private quarters. Servais couldn’t help but stare in curiosity at the door, knowing exactly what was hidden behind it. Did the rest of the crew know, since Fiona knew? She had always been on the psychic side though…
There was another sudden spark of curiosity, a pull in his chest urging him to walk inside once more. He knew he would be greeted coldly and asked to leave, but he couldn’t suppress the thought once it appeared.
Maybe just another peek would do… surely that would satiate his burning curiosity if last night hadn’t. Just one more time and he would be free from this creature’s torment.
Taking a quick look to see if anyone was around, Servais bolted towards the hidden room, quickly opening the door and closing it behind him. His breath felt heavy in his lungs from nervousness as he lifted his gaze towards the mermaid’s tank. He was met with an expected unwelcome expression, eyeing him from head to toe with suspicion.
“How did I know you would be back?” The mermaid practically spat at him, disdain clear in his voice. He was once again leaning forward towards the pirate, propped up against the edge of the tank with an unamused look on his face. Servais refused to admit his curiosity had drawn him back yet again, it was far too embarrassing. Instead, he resumed his usual irritated persona, despite being the one invading the mermaid’s space.
“I guess you have some semblance of a brain, I never knew mermaids could be so smart.” Servais grumbled back, crossing his arms over his chest, hiding behind them. The mermaid didn’t even acknowledge his rude comment, instead prodding the pirate even further.
“Cut the crap, why do you keep coming back? You barely even say anything before running to the door anyways, I don’t get it!” The mermaid demanded an answer, staring at Servais with his piercing eyes. He was right, Servais had continued to intrude without explanation time and time again. The man gulped, not expecting such a direct confrontation. Something urged him to confess, most likely the commanding tone from the creature before him. He already had one foot in the grave… he might as well seal his fate of death by embarrassment and just tell the truth.
“I’m simply curious, that’s all.” Servais gave little information to work with, barely able to admit the sentence alone. It felt like he had just said something wrong, like he had accidentally confessed his worry of the mermaid’s fate. Wait… what worry? He wasn’t worried at all! He could care less about this random creature.
“You’re… curious?” The mermaid’s anger dissipated, seemingly perplexed by the statement. He was expecting something more along the lines of: ‘I’ve noticed how spectacular your scales are, and I’ve decided to kill you here and take them all for myself.’ He was taken aback by the pirate’s genuine curiosity, though he was not upset by it.
Servais slowly nodded his head, feeling like he was treading on thin ice. One wrong step, and he could end up in an impossibly complex situation. The mermaid still seemed tense, but began to loosen up his stance as he spoke with conviction.
“What exactly are you curious about?”
Servais felt himself falter, like a bit of his indifferent disguise chipped away. His mind wandered back to what Fiona had told him last night, that he would get along well with this mermaid. Maybe they had something in common aside from being stuck on the same pirate ship.
“I’m curious about…you,” His voice shook as he spoke, uncertain of what he was even confessing to, “Don’t get the wrong idea… It’s just that I don’t believe in killing innocent people.” Servais felt his face heat up, embarrassment spreading throughout him like wildfire.
The mermaid’s look of confusion worsened as Servais grew silent, leaving the pair in an uncomfortable pause as the gears in their brains turned. The mermaid couldn’t believe what he had heard! From a pirate no less!
“A pirate that doesn’t believe in killing… just what kind of pirate are you!” Kurt demanded, a curiosity of his own now growing within. There was another beat of silence before Servais began to feel the weight of his confession. He wasn’t supposed to stand out from his crew, he was meant to be one of them.
“You know, I’d best get going. I’m rather hungry and I’ve yet to eat breakfast.” He quickly bolted out the door before the mermaid could respond, refusing to look behind him in regret. If he heard the mermaid call out to him as he ran, he showed no sign of acknowledgment.
That was far too close for comfort. The captain rescued Servais from a life of poverty, and he owed that man every penny he had. He shouldn’t be going around confessing to disagreeing with the captain’s lifestyle, with a mermaid no less. He knew well enough that he didn’t belong on this ship, but he couldn’t let anyone else learn the truth.
Servais opted to forget about the situation entirely, heading to the dining hall this time to catch the tail end of breakfast. This fear of discovery was just what he needed to stay far away from the mermaid’s room. There was no way he would go when there was such a risk he could be in trouble.
-
It was around 3 AM when Servais found himself wide awake once more. It felt all too familiar, the blaring sound of Kreacher’s deafening snores not helping his situation. That godforsaken mermaid was swimming around in his mind once more. He could almost perfectly picture the way his thick eyebrows furrowed and his large eyes narrowed when he grew irritated.
With an indignant huff, he rose from his bed, knowing he wouldn’t be able to properly rest until he went below deck. He followed the nightly steps of cautiously approaching the private quarters, opening the door with the same hesitation as always. Tonight though, he was not met with a grimace paired with a rude comment. It seemed that today’s confession had brought the mermaid’s walls down.
“Oh, it’s pretty late isn’t it? I’m surprised you’re awake.” There was no trace of malice or mistrust in his voice, just an ordinary conversation between two people. It almost felt like Servais was back home, inside his quaint but comfortable abode. He could picture himself inviting the mermaid over if he were human, if the circumstances were different, and they would share a cup of tea.
The thought brought an uncomfortable relief to the pirate, anxious energy instantly dissipating in the mermaid’s presence. He felt himself relax against the door for a moment before he remembered where he was; before he remembered who he was.
“Couldn’t sleep again, you know the drill.” Servais confessed, met with an excited grin from the creature before him. It seemed he had admitted to more than he intended.
“Ah, so you do admit that you come here first when you can’t sleep. I find that quite flattering. Is my company really that nice?” The mermaid seemed smug, although genuine in his question.
Servais struggled with how to answer for a moment, unsure how he truly felt. This was beginning to become quite like a routine, coming downstairs to see the mermaid in secret. It was the only truly eventful part of his day.
“You could say I prefer your company to my obnoxiously loud roommate.” Servais slid down the door, slumping on the floor as he crossed his arms. The way he let his guard down felt almost second nature.
“Pfft! Is that even a compliment!” The mermaid laughed, approaching the edge of the tank once more to look down at the pirate.
Servais began to laugh along with the mermaid before he promptly fell silent, realizing this was a rather unusual situation. Pirates don’t tell jokes to their captives, they are supposed to intimidate and threaten. The mermaid didn’t seem to notice his silence, continuing right on with conversation. It made it easy for the pirate to fall into a relaxed banter with him despite his feelings of unease.
“You know, I’ve found myself looking forward to your little escapades into my room. It’s the best part of my day, seeing as no one else comes around.” The mermaid admits, more open and willing to confess than Servais. The pirate felt his face heat up suddenly against his will, conveying his embarrassment without a word spoken.
“Thank you,” Servais could barely talk, eyes wandering back to the door once more. This level of intimacy was too much for him to handle, their relationship had made a leap without his knowledge. The mermaid seemed to notice as he shot the pirate a desperate look that said– please don’t go yet.
Reluctantly, Servais found himself shuffling closer to the tank, expectantly staring at the creature now just a few feet away from him. The mermaid’s tail swished back and forth in the water, excited about his successful attempt at getting the pirate to stay.
“So Mr. Gentle Pirate, what do you do here, considering that you don’t believe in killing?” The mermaid questioned, leaning further over the edge of the tank. From any other person the question would sound teasing, like an attempt at mocking his beliefs, and yet it didn’t. The creature was sincere in his curiosity.
“I’m the first mate, or the captain’s right hand man. I fulfill his orders, no matter what they might be.” He admitted, watching as the mermaid’s expression shifted to one of disdain. It seemed as though that was not the answer he had hoped for.
“What, like killing me? Would you carry out that order?” Kurt suddenly demanded, not afraid to get straight to the point. Servais stared at him incredulously, unable to form the words that were rushing through his brain. In place of his response, Kurt continued to fill the silence, rambling on and on.
“I should’ve known you’d be just as terrible as every other pirate I’ve met! You’re all the same!” Kurt shouted, growing angry and panicked from his ranting. His eyes were shooting daggers at the wretched pirate before him, willing him to disappear from his sight.
That familiar anxiety was rising in Servais’s stomach, threatening to spill over. Unsure of what to do in this situation, he chose what he believed would be most effective. He reached out and grabbed the mermaid in a soft but firm grip, meeting his eyes dead on as he spoke.
“I want to help you.”
The room fell silent at the pirate’s admission. The mermaid’s eyes grew wide, staring at him with such complex emotion he could only categorize as shock and uncertainty. Their eyes were locked together, not even the harsh waves outside could break them apart.
“You can’t be serious, this must be an attempt to make me the butt of a joke, which I do not appreciate.” The mermaid brushed aside his confession, averting his gaze away from Servais for the first time since they’d met. His arms were crossed as he tilted his chin up, refusing to meet the pirate’s eyes.
Well, now that the cat’s out of the bag, he might as well commit to his confession wholeheartedly.
“I’m dead serious. You may not have been the nicest when we first met, but I still won’t just stand by and watch an innocent person die. That’s not my style.” Servais refused to look away, patiently waiting for the mermaid to meet his eyes again.
He reluctantly turned to face the pirate, an uncertain fear evident in his gaze. The life of a mermaid was indeed not an easy one, and one mishap could cost you everything. Placing his trust in a pirate was the last thing the mermaid wished to do, but he was hard pressed for other options. He let out a reluctant sigh before he gave up resisting.
“Blackbeard plans to bring me up on deck for the entire crew to see. He’s going to make one of you stab me through the heart, and then strip me of my scales.” The mermaid confessed, his voice defeated.
A horrible silence fell over the pair, Servais’s face paling at the thought. He had witnessed many men meet their end by Blackbeard’s sword. He often found himself wondering if becoming a pirate was worth it; if aiding in all these killings was better than a life of poverty. The bodies piled up as Servais stood by watching, convincing himself he was helpless to stop it. He couldn’t disagree with the captain, not when he had saved his life.
But something inside of him spoke loud and clear. His fascination with this creature ran deep, the will to make up for all of the lives lost because of his cowardice. Servais would never let something like that happen again, not while he was first mate. The mermaid seemed to notice the pirate’s change in demeanor, waiting silently for him to respond.
His eyes were full of emotion as he suddenly spoke, “You’re going to get out of here if it kills me to do so. I’ve sat idly by as countless people met their end, and I refuse to see it happen once more.” Servais’s gaze pierced through the mermaid’s very being, determination infectious and spreading into his soul. The truth to his words was palpable, sending a shiver down the mermaid’s spine. This pirate was unlike any others he had met before.
“Thank you…” The mermaid began but trailed off, unsure of what to say. No one had ever shown such concern for him before, and the feeling was entirely welcome. He struggled to find an ounce of doubt in the pirate that vowed to rescue him, and instead found himself enamored. This warm feeling spread from his heart throughout his entire being, urging him to reach out and– he wasn’t quite sure what he intended to do.
Just as he was about to act on his thoughts, Servais promptly stood up, cutting the metaphorical strings pulling them closer.
“I’d best get going… It’s rather late and I have a lot of brainstorming to do.” He seemed shaken up, like he was reeling back from touching scalding hot water. He looked towards the door for the second time that night, eyes searching for an escape.
“Good night–” He paused, realizing he still didn’t know the mermaid’s name.
“Kurt.” The mermaid stared longingly at the unaware pirate. How he wished to reach out to him, to understand the kindness in his heart. This pirate was more complex than he had anticipated. Something about him urged Kurt to believe in him, to believe that he would save him.
“Good night, Kurt.” Servais spoke his name softly, bringing a heat to Kurt’s cheeks. The pirate refused to turn around as he turned the doorknob in his hand, blissfully unaware of the smitten mermaid behind him. He quietly opened the door to the private quarters and stepped out without a sound.
-
Servais awoke the next morning to boisterous shouting from outside his room. He could immediately sense something was amiss… The crew was never this loud in the mornings. His mind drifted towards Kurt and he quickly became panicked. Had they already executed him? Am I too late?
Servais nearly tripped over the sheets tangled around his ankles in his rush to get out of bed. He burst through the door to his cabin, still dressed in the black robe he always slept in. Instead of discovering a dead mermaid, he found Kreacher and the rest of the crew surrounding their captain who was giving a speech.
“Ah Servais, so kind of you to join us, sleeping beauty.” Blackbeard sneered, eyes shooting daggers at him before he continued his speech.
“Seeing as the very man of the hour just arrived, let me announce that the one to execute this mermaid for its priceless scales, will be our very own first mate, Servais!” Blackbeard grinned as the crew began to shout and cheer, congratulating him on the opportunity to prove his loyalty. “Tonight is the night we become richer than ever before!”
Servais felt his face pale, a sick feeling churning in his gut. Blackbeard knew what he had done, that’s the only plausible reason he was assigned this task. His captain was the type to play with his food, torturing them until he inevitably snuffed their life out. This was now a test of where his loyalty laid; with his captain, or a mermaid.
“Very well,” Was all Servais could manage to say in response before turning back to his quarters. Was saving Kurt truly the right decision? Unwelcome thoughts began to buzz around in his head like a swarm of flies, invading his peace of mind.
The first mate sat down at the desk in his room, placing his head between his elbows on the table. This was a near hopeless situation. A part of him, deep down inside, still wished to follow the captain’s orders. He owed that man his life, whether he liked him or not, and that wasn’t something to brush off so easily. No matter what he chose, Servais would be saddled with guilt for some time to come.
While he was deep in thought, that annoyance of a roommate burst through the cabin door, invading Servais’s personal space. He came right up behind the distraught man and patted him on the shoulder hard enough to sting.
“C-cheer up ol’ pal. Killin’ a m-mermaid shouldn’t be too tricky, ay?” Kreacher attempted to reassure him, only furthering the man’s anguish. Servais turned to face his crewmate, distress clear in his eyes. All attempts at joking were thrown out the window as soon as Kreacher realized this was a serious situation.
“W-woah did somethin’ happen?” Kreacher’s voice softened, kneeling down to stay eye level with Servais. The first mate hesitated, unsure if he could confide in the other pirate. He could easily tell the rest of the crew that he was a traitor– but then again, Kreacher had always been a loyal friend. A great annoyance, yes, but a friend nonetheless.
“I can’t kill that mermaid,” He confessed, “He doesn’t deserve to die.” Servais paused for a moment, pushing down his overflowing anxiety before continuing. “We’ve watched countless men die at Blackbeard’s blade, and frankly I’ve had enough. I’m not going to become like him, I’m going to save Kurt.”
“On a f-first name basis with a mermaid, ay?” Kreacher joked, that familiar annoying tone returning to his voice. Servais shot him a look that could kill and the other pirate stuck his hands up in surrender.
“It’s n-none of my business but, if y-you ask me, I’d say you’re doing the right t-thing.” Kreacher was giving him whiplash with the constant change in tone. His roommate seemed genuine in his admission though, urging Servais to follow through with his plan.
“I can’t believe I’m saying this, but thank you, Kreacher. You can truly be a good friend when you’re not being a twat.” Servais admitted, immediately regretting it after seeing the shit-eating grin on Kreacher’s face.
“God, forget I said anything, I take it all back.”
“N-no take backs! It’s too late!”
-
Time quickly passed, and it was soon nighttime. Despite his earlier reassurance from Kreacher, Servais was terrified. He barely had any plan in place of how to save Kurt, and he couldn’t even talk to the poor mermaid before he would be brought on deck.
Dressed in his usual ruffled button-up shirt, Servais stepped out from his quarters as if it were any other day. He walked with purpose towards the center of the main deck, greeted by the sight of Kurt lying helplessly on the floor, Blackbeard right by his side. He had a death grip on the mermaid’s arm, keeping him from shuffling away. Kurt’s discomfort was evident from his labored breathing and tightly shut eyes, sending a pang of guilt through Servais’s heart.
“Let’s skip all the pleasantries and get straight to the main event.” Blackbeard sneered, grabbing Kurt from underneath his arms and hoisting him up. The mermaid was held a few inches in front of the captain, vulnerable and terrified. Despite his evident fear, he shot Servais a look that said ‘So, how are we going to do this!’
“As you wish, captain.”
The first mate unsheathed his sword, holding it an arms length away. The mermaid’s discomfort worsened tenfold, shock apparent on his features. Had Servais really fooled him? Ignoring the distraught mermaid before him, the man took a fighting stance, preparing to run Kurt through.
“You really thought he would save you?” Blackbeard sneered, roughly shaking the mermaid in his grasp. “You’re only worth your scales, everything else is a waste.”
Kurt felt tears begin to form, lamenting himself for being so foolish. If he hadn’t placed his trust in a pirate, he could have at least died with some semblance of dignity. He began to thrash around in Blackbeard’s grip, knowing it was futile yet attempting to free himself anyway.
“Stop moving.” Servais spoke bluntly, voice devoid of the previous compassion he had shown the mermaid. This was an entirely different person than Kurt had grown to know. There was a dangerous look in his eyes that urged the mermaid to listen despite his newfound hatred for the pirate. He grew still, save for the subtle shakes of fear that wracked his body.
Servais’s face broke into a wild grin as he spoke, “It seems I truly had you fooled.” With those final words, he charged forward and thrust his sword into the body before him. There were gasps amongst the crew as Kurt fell to the floor, body growing limp against the hardwood floor.
It wasn’t until they turned their gaze upward that they saw Blackbeard stumbling backwards, sword sticking through his gut. Servais’s weapon, still in his grasp, had stabbed straight through the captain’s stomach. He quickly let go of the sword, leaving it stuck inside as he rushed to Kurt’s side.
“You seriously had me fooled too,” Kurt laughed as Servais helped him to the edge of the boat. The two shared an intense moment of eye contact, unsure of what to say in this situation. Servais knew he had to let Kurt go at this point, but he was beginning to grow fond of his company.
“Kurt, I-” Servais began but was cut off as he was struck with a heavy fist. The impact nearly knocked him unconscious, his grip on Kurt loosening as the mermaid fell over the side of the boat. Kurt splashed into the waves below, immediately shooting back up with renewed strength from the water.
“Servais!” He shouted to the pirate stuck on the boat above him. He wasn’t ready for goodbyes…There were so many things he had to say to the man that sacrificed his comfortable life of piracy for him.
“Kurt, get out of here, please!” Servais cried as he stumbled to avoid Blackbeard’s raging punches. He was still reeling from the blow to his head, a dizziness setting in unlike any other. “There’s nothing you can do, please, escape before they catch you again!” He had succeeded in saving Kurt, and that was all he had hoped to do. It didn’t matter if he died– he had finally saved someone, and that was enough to let him rest easily.
Kurt stared up at the ship, absolute terror in his eyes. He was powerless to help Servais, a new feeling worse than being held captive. He would have to sit and watch as the man that saved his life was executed in his place.
Servais was backed into a corner as the captain drew his sword.
“This is the end of the line for you, Le Roy!” Blackbeard roared, an evil glint in his eyes. He began to charge towards Servais with rage. The first mate screwed his eyes shut, accepting his fate after accomplishing his goal. Servais was surprised when the pain never came, and the ship fell silent.
He slowly opened his eyes to see Blackbeard with another sword through his chest. The captain fell to the ground, revealing Kreacher behind him, huffing from the effort of running.
“T-told you it would be alright.” Kreacher grinned, pulling his sword from the now dead captain’s chest.
Servais could barely form words out of shock, opting to shoot Kreacher a baffled yet thankful look. He suddenly remembered that Kurt had fallen off the ship and ran to the edge of the deck to look for him.
Servais felt the relief wash over him in waves at the familiar sight of wide eyes staring up from the ocean. He had really pulled it off.
“I’m going to miss your company,” Servais shouted down to him, “I was beginning to enjoy having you around.” He felt the telltale signs of tears pricking his eyes, turning his face away from view.
“What if we never see each other again?” Kurt asked, scared to lose the first companion he had ever made. He too was beginning to grow attached to the pirate, unwilling to leave so suddenly.
There was a loud sigh from behind Servais on the boat, and suddenly, the man came tumbling over the side of the boat. He landed in the water with a great splash, successfully soaking his clothes.
“E-enough of your tragic lover’s q-quarrel. You’re too g-good to be stuck on this dingy o-old pirate ship, Le Roy.” Kreacher approached the edge of the ship, looking down at the odd pair. Kurt was now holding Servais in his arms, much like a prince would carry a princess. “G-go and live your life.”
Servais found himself unable to argue with his comrade, recounting all the times he wished he could leave. His opportunity had finally presented itself in the form of a brown haired mermaid; the chance to have a fresh start.
The two bid Kreacher, the new captain, and his crew farewell as they sailed off into the distance. Kurt and Servais were soon left alone, the former pirate still held in the mermaid’s arms.
“I want to thank you… for everything you’ve done for me.” Kurt started, unsure of how to properly thank the man before him. He had sacrificed so much for someone he barely knew, it was almost absurd. He felt that familiar warm feeling return, shooting through his veins as his heart picked up speed and thumped loudly in his chest.
“Don’t mention it.” Servais smiled, the first proper smile Kurt had ever seen from him. The expression oddly put him at ease considering everything that had just happened. It seemed as though the former pirate expected nothing in return for his act of kindness. Saving Kurt was enough for him.
Servais suddenly became painfully aware of the fact that they were stranded in the middle of the ocean. His clothes were growing heavy and sticking to his skin, weighing him down in Kurt’s strong grasp.
“So, how do you propose we get out of this predicament?” Servais said with a lighthearted laugh, amused by the situation. If you told him three days earlier that he would be stranded in the middle of the ocean with a mermaid, he would have called you an imbecile.
“Well, I think I know of a little fishing village nearby. You could situate yourself there with all the other people, I’m sure they’d love you.” Kurt started swimming towards the direction of the village, Servais still in his arms.
“Hmm, I suppose that could do, though where will you stay?” Servais spoke with sincerity.
Kurt couldn’t help but flush slightly at the implication that the other man wished to live together. Although, he supposed they had been through quite enough together to warrant such a suggestion. The soft waves around them brushed against their skin as Kurt pressed on, pondering his answer.
“I supposed I would stay with you… If that’s alright.” Kurt was hesitant to propose the idea despite the former pirate inviting him to do so. He didn’t wish to impose at all, maybe he was getting the wrong idea–
Servais responded quickly, quieting the mermaid’s restless thoughts.
“I think that would be quite alright.”