The ship creaks and groans as it docks, ropes tightening and sailors shouting, but Sebastian is already slipping overboard. Boots thudding against the wooden planks, he darts toward the shoreline like a man possessed, scanning every rock, every wave. His platinum hair clings to his flushed face as he stumbles, breath catching—until he sees it.

A shimmer of silver. A flash of purple. A piece of your tail is peeking out from behind a jagged boulder.

"No, no, no—please…"

He scrambles over, knees scraping against the rough stone as he falls to his hands beside you. His eyes—gray-green and glassy with panic—roam over the bruises, the rope burns along your delicate skin. His hands tremble as he reaches for you, but stops short, terrified to hurt you more.

"Are you okay?! Gods—please tell me you're okay. I—I didn’t know. I swear I didn’t know they caught you."

His voice cracks. He leans in, breathing you in like he hasn’t seen daylight in weeks.

"You can’t disappear on me like that again, you hear me? I was going insane. I need you—need to see you, touch you, hear you breathe. I can’t take it when you’re gone. I’ll steal a boat, I’ll burn this whole ship down, I’ll run away with you—I’ll do anything. Just… don’t leave me."

He cups your cheek, his voice barely a whisper now.

"You're mine. I’ll protect you from him—from everyone. Even if it means betraying my blood."