Chapter Text
Jack’s town had always seemed a bit magical from the outside eye. What sort of town by the sea wouldn’t? With each sunset setting the town ablaze and the sea birds dancing about. The ocean sparkling like diamonds and giving off a salty-sweet breeze. Even when the sky was gray and it was raining, there always seemed to be a lick of sunlight in every raindrop.
And then there were the legends. Stories of curses and great beings. From a pair of boots that can take seven league leaps, krakens being unleashed, and gods mighty hands crashing down into the sea from the heavens to raze Atlantis. Of course, most of these were silly myths that only kept children in bed and adults laughing in the pub. But there was one story that stuck, mostly because it had a source of substance. The Cursed Song.
One song which was lost in the night, a tune echoing out over the rippling waters only to fade just as it grazed the rocky shores. Every evening it would play beckoning someone, anyone to hear it and listen.
The town had thought it a ghost, some say of a little girl that had drowned at sea, other say it’s a ghost of a man who died at sea coming back home in search of his long dead lover. Whoever the ghost was didn't really matter, simply because it was speculated that the song would beckon anyone who would listen into the water to drown beneath the waves.
The legend stuck because the voice could be still be heard at night always just out of reach. Some, of course, were skeptical saying it was just wind blowing through exposed caves by the town.
Jack had first heard it years ago when he’d been eighteen in his last year of high school. He’d come to sit on the pier, the temptation of the song pulling him there to sit and listen. He had fallen in love with the voice in a heartbeat, but knew better than to try and find it. After all, the voice was cursed, and so, rightly, Jack was cursed as well. If he were ever to touch the waters of the ocean again it would surly lead to his death.
Years passed, Jack graduated high school and got a job in town at the pub.
Yet the feelings only got worse as the years passed. He couldn’t bear to be away from the voice. His dreams were filled with its sound as he slept at night, and he’d see a blurry face with floating hair in these dreams as well.
It got to a point where he bought a cheap acre of land by the shore and built a small cabin there. Something else that seemed to happen to Jack was that the song got louder with each passing year. From there all it took to listen to the song was to sit by an open window at night.
Though it was lovely being able to hear the song better, he remembered years ago that he’d barely been able to hear it. Jack, nor the town’s folk knew what this meant. Some theorized that it meant Jack’s fast approaching death. That one day the poor Irishman wouldn’t make it to his job at the pub. Everyone though, could agree, it was probably the curse.
Jack didn’t know what to make of it personally though. It was his fate the people were discussing, but he couldn’t find it in himself to give a damn when he was hearing that beautiful voice clear as day. Jack just hoped it didn't actually mean anything bad.
One night though about eight years later, when Jack was lounging on his recliner, sipping tea and reading a book that Jack realized something alarming.
He was sitting by his open window after work, at night… but he wasn’t hearing the voice. Jack sat up straight suddenly, as if a bolt of lightning had just struck him head to toe. His tea splashing around in its mug. Jack looked out the window. The breeze drifting in had the same sweet-salty smell. Jack was breathing heavy and his heart hurt.
He already missed the voice. He didn’t understand. The voice had always been there, ever since he was eighteen. He wondered if he’d suddenly gone deaf! Could the rest of the people in town hear it still? Jack felt as if his heart would break if that was true!
Jack calmed for a moment and decided to focus, maybe the voice was just soft again, after all, he was very use to it being clearly heard. He listened hard. He heard the waves crashing on the shore, rocks and sand. Okay, not deaf…
But now, no, it wasn’t just the waves! There was splashing. Jack gasped. Oh no! Had some poor soul finally taken a fateful dive? Maybe that’s why the song stopped! It had claimed a victim!
But Jack still heard splashing! Maybe there was a way to save the poor soul, without getting himself killed in the process. He gathered a rope and ran out his front door and down to the beach.
“HEY!” He called out, feet pounding into the dirt. He stopped just short of sandy shore. “Whoever’s in the water needs to get the hell out of there! It’s not safe at night!”
Desperately, Jack searched the dark water, sparkling in the light of the stars. Finally, he caught sight of something out in deep water: A head, bobbing above the waves.
(A/N) And here I’d like to thank Azlinne for this amazing prompt. This is sorta where theirs ended, I’ve obviously added stuff but there’s more. I just wanted to get this out there. If you’re looking for some inspiration, their fan fic: Promos and Story Starts is a great place to go! Okay no more interruptions.
Jack felt a ray of hope fly through his heart. Whoever was out there was still alive. “HOLD ON OUT THERE! I’LL HELP YOU!”
Jack suddenly looked frantically around. The splashing had stopped for a moment when the two had locked eyes, though Jack couldn’t even make out a face, but now it started back up again. Jack looked back up from his search to see whoever it was, was swimming towards shore.
Jack gasped and nodded to the swimmer who seemed frantic to get back to shore. “Yeah, come on!” Jack encourage. He suddenly realized he’d have to go onto the beach. He looked fearfully down at the sand and rocks, took a breath and ran out onto it, swinging the rope above his head, never taking his eyes off the person plowing through the waves.
“HERE!” Jack called. He tossed the rope out with all his might. It landed a few feet in front of the person. Jack could now see a few defining features, the person seemed to be male and at least shirtless (unless said shirt was skin color).
The man looked at the rope, cocking his head in confusion for a moment, pausing his swim to shore.
Jack almost sighed with frustration, “GRAB IT! I’LL PULL YOU IN! ITS FASTER!”
The man looked back to Jack and then nodded, grabbing the rope.
Jack suddenly pulled and the man was being dragged in. Jack realized that this man would probably be near delirious when he got to shore. Jack wasn’t exactly sure what the cursed song did to you once you got in the water, but it probably fucked with your head.
The man, once he got to shallower waters, began flailing about.
“Keep ahold of the rope! I’d drag you to shore!” It was dark out and Jack just hoped the guy still had ahold of the rope as he gave a few more tugs.
The man suddenly got caught on a wave and was pushed on its cress into shore.
Jack gasped as he watched the wave come crashing down on top of him. He let out a scream that he was sure the entire town heard.
He was pulled violently into the ocean and Jack was sure this was his end. Just then he felt strong arms wrap around him and kept him steady on the sands below his back as the water receded.
He gasped for breath, sputtering, taking deep lung fills, realizing a bit belatedly that he was still alive… and that something was on top of him. He opened his eyes, blurred vision from the water. He vaguely made out a head, neck, and chest. This had to be the man from out in the water. Jack breathed a sigh of relief. His arms were already around the man’s torso. The two seemed to be holding each other steady. Honestly, Jack was too relieved to be alive than embarrassed by having this man on top of him.
Jack blinked a few times, trying to sit up. The man on top of him seemed to be in a bit of a paralyzed daze as he didn’t really move to allow Jack to sit up. Jack pushed anyway, still having one arm around the man in case he gets the bright idea of jumping back in.
Jack was then successfully able to sit up. He rubbed his eyes with the back of his hand, hoping to clear his vision. It didn’t even occur to him that the man he’d just saved was now straddling him. The man had also shifted but not moved, his hands now rested on Jack’s shoulders.
Jack looked up at him, vision now a little clearer, but still having drops of water hanging from his eyebrows and hair and his eyelashes sticking together. He saw the man peering down at him with an odd expression.
Jack suddenly realized where his hand was. It was no longer resting around the man’s back, but now on his hip just above his buttock. Jack blushed furiously as he quickly took his hand off the man and moved out from beneath him.
Or at least tried to.
The man above him moved with him; suddenly sitting on Jack’s lap, keeping him still, and getting very close to his face. The man’s breath felt like the ocean’s breeze and smelled like it too.
Jack was unnerved by the man’s closeness. He could see from this close that he was very handsome, but that didn’t counteract Jack’s basic need for personal space.
“Um, buddy?” Jack questioned, he gave a small grin, “I know I just saved your life but um… maybe back off a little?” His voice turned weak as the man’s gaze never faltered, staring deep into Jack’s eyes, almost looking into his soul. It was kind of freaking him out.
Jack opened his mouth to say more, but then the man spoke, and his voice! Jack only then just realized how deep in shit he was when the words the man spoke registered.
“You are the one!” The voice was deep, soft and full of awe. “You’re the one I’ve seen in my dreams.” The expression the man wore was unreadable to Jack. But suddenly the man’s eyes were closing and he was moving even closer, puckering his lips.
Jack quickly moved. Okay, his brain said, you were right, the curse obviously did something to this guy. He’s delirious, maybe even thinking Jack was the one singing that made him jump into the water.
When Jack moved out of range of this mysterious man’s lips, the man fell forward a little and quickly opened his eyes with a small gasped realizing he was now sitting flesh on the sand. Jack was standing and the man’s gaze followed him. The man stared up at Jack with wide eyes and a confused, yet still awed, expression, from his seat on the sand.
Jack really wished he could see better. Really all he knew about what this guy looked like, was that he obviously had dark hair (probably brunet) and dark eyes. And you know, every other generic handsome feature.
Jack breathed, “Dude you aren’t in your right mind. Come on. I have a spare bedroom you can use until you get your head on straight.”
Jack offered his hand.
The man stared at it for a moment before looking back up to Jack, eyes still wide.
Jack brushed off his stomach doing uncomfortable flips at this guy’s vulnerable expression. He cleared his throat, coughing a little into his hand, “Um, I’m Jack by the way. Er, Sean, but everyone calls me Jack.”
The man tilted his head, and Jack felt his heart skip a beat at the cuteness of it. Jack blushed and shook his head, “Come on.” He reached down a little bit, giving an encouraging smile to the man before him.
If possible the man’s eyes widened further staring up at Jack. He seemed to gulp nervously before he took Jack’s hand.
Jack pulled him up gently. It seemed the man though, wasn’t ready to be on his feet just yet, as he stumbled with a few squeaks into Jack’s awaiting arms. Honestly, he should have expected that.
The man wrapped his arms around Jack’s neck, breathing a little heavily as he shoved his face into the juncture between Jack’s shoulder and neck.
Jack rubbed the man’s back for comfort, noting the man didn’t just have no shirt on, but apparently no clothes at all. Jack wondered if maybe the man wasn’t from the town (he didn't look like anyone he'd ever known) and had thought a late night skinny dip would be fun. Either that or the curse made him strip down naked before jumping into the water.
Jack shook his head and pulled away. The man didn’t seem to want to let go of his neck. But with a bit of persuasive shoving, Jack was able to get the man’s head out of his neck. The man's legs seemed like they were weak. And maybe they were, God know how long this poor soul had been out there fighting the waves.
Jack bit his lip, “Okay look, can you walk?” He asked the man.
The man looked like he just wanted to be pressed back up against him. It was a rather nippy night and they were both soaked. Jack really wanted to get inside, he could get a fire going in the fireplace.
Jack took a step back from the man, who quickly tried to follow, but seemed to trip over his own two feet. Jack caught his shoulders and looked at the man again, “Okay, apparently not.” He paused for a moment, “Here. I’ll carry you.”
Without waiting for the man to answer, Jack was sweeping him off his feet and held him bridal style. Jack was honestly worried that he’d drop the man who seemed to be just a bit bigger than him. But surprisingly he was actually very light. The man had squeaked again as he was lifted, swinging his arms and clutching tight around Jack’s neck. Once again the man buried his face into Jack neck and Jack was left to carry the man back to his home.
Jack wanted to get back to his house quickly, before the man became too heavy.
Once he got to his door he realized he’d left it ajar in his haste. Whoops.
Jack sighed as he went in. His house glowed with his lamp lights. He trudged his way into the spare bedroom where he tried to gracefully dispose of the man in his arms. But like every other time Jack tried to gain a bit of space from the man, he seemed to insist on clinging to Jack.
Sighing, Jack pulled away, much to the man’s disapproval. He let out a whine and looked up at Jack with infinitely deep brown eyes. Jack suddenly realized he could now take in the man’s entire appearance. But then he remembered that the man was naked and didn’t want to embarrass him or himself more.
“Please!” The voice was back and its owner was looking up at him, “Stay?”
The man reached for Jack but, as politely as he could manage, batted it away, “No man. You’re naked and confused. And tomorrow you’re going to wake up in a stranger's bed. I don’t need you yelling at me in the morning for being a creep okay? Trust me, just lay down, go to sleep, it’ll be better in the morning.”
The man fucking whimpered, “I won’t yell at you. Promise.”
Jack almost went for it. The voice was just so coaxing. But no, Jack had resisted it for years. Just because a nice looking dude was begging him to stay in the same bed with him ‘just for the night’, Jack wasn’t about to break. Years goddamnit. This would not be his down fall.
“Go to sleep man.” Jack pinched the bridge of his nose, a little exasperated at this point.
“Mark.”
It was so soft and hesitant Jack nearly didn’t catch it. He looked back to the man in the bed, who seemed to be blushing furiously.
Jack just realized the man had not given his name till now. Perhaps some clarity was coming back to him already.
Jack smiled down at him, which seemed to cause the blush to deepen. Jack chuckled, “Mark.” He said.
The man… Mark, looked ready to faint with all the blood running to his face. Jack shook his head kindly, “Good night Mark.” He pulled the covers back and wrapped them snuggly around Mark’s legs, avoiding looking at what would be improper. And without much of his conscious mind’s permission, leaned down and gave a chaste kiss to Mark’s forehead.
Mark made a happy little noise that made Jack melt a little. Sighing when Mark finally slid into the sheets and drifted off, Jack left the room and closed the door.
For the night, Jack could say he was thoroughly exhausted. Tomorrow, he and Mark would figure this shit out together.
Jack collapsed into his own bed and fell asleep. In his dreams he heard Mark’s voice, and the man with a blurred face and floating hair morphed into the shadowed face of Mark.