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Billy Hargrove had been hunting for a certain merman for a long time, but what he didn't know was this merman had been hunting him too. They had met under a moonlit sky, the stars sparkling above them. Billy had been on a small boat then, rowing and fishing. What he caught had been a merman instead of fish, he was exactly upset he hadn't caught dinner that night. They had stayed up for hours, talking. The merman, Eddie, found him very interesting. Though they lived in two different worlds, Eddie had returned to his home in the depths and Billy had returned to the shore with a rumbling belly.
Eddie had stuck around his boat however, he kept an eye on him for a long time. The young merman had found that Billy had taken up a life as a pirate, his boat was far larger now. Eddie was a bit concerned that he was going to be a dangerous man now. He wondered if he was unwilling to continue a conversation with Eddie, even possibly a relationship.
But Eddie stayed close, he followed him as his ships grew larger and his crew doubled.
Billy was on the hunt for the merman who he had fallen for, every relationship he could have with a normal man didn't feel right. When he closed his eyes he saw the curly hair and the dark eyes of the merman.
Eddie followed the large boat, he wanted to speak to the pirate captain but he didn't trust any of the crew. Pirates were known to hurt and harm mermaids and mermen, and while his short meeting with Billy made him feel he wouldn't harm him, he was still nervous about the possibility. It had been a long time since he had last spoken to Billy, from the ocean he watched Billy change from a younger fishermen to a pirate. He wondered if he had done something to upset the man, he had watched his change begin after their meeting.
Eddie was nearly positive he wasn't part siren, but he couldn't be so sure. It made him slightly nervous that he had done something he didn't even mean to. Eddie continued to follow the pirate ship, port to port until finally the ship was in the open ocean.
"Are you alright captain?"
"Yes, Steve," Billy sighed as he leaned against the railing, "I've just been searching for any signs of the one I have been looking for and I haven't heard any tales… I haven't seen anything. No sighs, no… Nothing."
"I am sure we will find him captain," Steve patted his back, "we will find the merman. We have found the special treasure sir, so we just need to find him now. We will find the merman you are searching for."
Billy gripped the seashell necklace that was cool against his skin, he had gone to the ends of the earth to find a special necklace that was said could aid a merman in walking on land. Allowing for them to choose to have a tail or legs at will. He only hoped it was real.
They had been hunting the merman, listening for stories of any mer around.
They didn't know that the merman they had been hunting for was beneath the boat at this very moment.
"Would you lower a dingy? I'd like to just be alone for a bit. I'll yell for you later on when I want to come up."
"Aye captain," Steve smiled.
Billy was lowered slowly into the waves, the soft bob of the water brought a smile to his face. He lowered his hand in the water, leaning forward and thinking hard. "I'll find you eventually, one day. Eddie."
Eddie was bobbing beneath the boat, listening.
He was nervous about what he needed to find him for. He wasn't sure if he would be safe, he wanted Billy to be kind to him. He wasn't sure what kind of man he had become since they last spoke, but what he did know was that he hoped he was a good man and that he wouldn't hurt him.
Eddie slowly swam upwards, smiling as he brought his hand to his. Billy jumped back in surprise, the boat rocking.
He grabbed for his pistol, but waited before Eddie popped up. His head bobbing a bit as he leaned over the boat.
"It's been a long time."
"E-Eddie.. Y-You don't realize how long I have been looking for you. Hunting you down from every port."
"Hunting me have you?"
"Well I- Hunting is the wrong word… I've been looking for you for a long time. I wouldn't hurt you, I promise."
"Why have you been hunting me?"
"I've been, well I-." Billy grunted. "I found something for you," he smiled as he pulled the necklace off and offered it to Eddie, "it's magical.. From what I've heard… I've been searching for it for a long, long time. I was told that if a merman was to wear it and say they wanted to walk on land they would grow legs. They could also swim if they touched the water with their tail. You'd have both. If you'd join me on the ship."
Billy looked at Eddie expectantly, the merman took the shell necklace carefully. He put it on around his neck. "Thank you, how did you find this?"
"I found it, far from here. I took on a crew in order to hunt for this and for you, how did you find me? I've been looking all over for you."
"I've been hunting you too I guess. Following your ship, ever since our first meeting I haven't gone far from you until you're on the land."
Billy looked at him wide eyed, he had been following him too?
"Would you be willing to join me? Would you be willing to stay with me, on the ship. You could swim anytime you wanted, of course.. I wouldn't stop you from the ocean, it's your home and I know that. I ju-just have been following you for so long and I… I want to.. To keep you with me.. If you would.. You're the treasure I've really been looking for."
Eddie blushed at his comment, he slowly climbed onto the ship. His tail flicking side to side, he leaned into Billy bringing their lips together. Eddie mumbled with each kiss, Billy could taste the sea salt on his lips. He pulled Eddie closer, his smile wide.
Eddie brought his hand to his new necklace.
He could live with Billy, he could sail the seas and walk on land. It was clear to him neither of them had stopped looking for the other one since the day they met. They had been searching for one another for a long time. Billy brought his lips to his again, smiling big. He had finally got a hold of his treasure.
Finally.