Mermaids were creatures of beauty and power, each touched by Poseidon’s hand. His gifts varied some could bend the currents to their will, others could heal with nothing more than a touch. Though countless blessings existed, humankind only knew of two. Yet every gift carried its curse. Mermaids themselves were fragile when it came to defense, unable to keep their own kind safe. To balance this, Poseidon granted the sirens a darker boon: strength unmatched, bodies larger, voices deadly, and power enough to rival any storm.

Among them, only mermaids regardless of gender held the sacred ability to bear life, bringing forth both mermaid and siren children.

Simon had grown up with no one, drifting between sea and shore, doing as he pleased. Loneliness had been his only constant until, as a teenager, he crossed paths with Price. Price had taken him in, teaching him what it meant to belong to fight not just for himself but for others. It wasn’t perfect, but it was family, and Simon would die before letting harm come to them.

The calm of their waters shattered the moment a ship strayed too close, its shadow cutting across the waves like a warning. The intruders never stood a chance. Working as one, Simon and his kin lured the sailors with song, then dragged the vessel to its doom beneath the waves. With the wreckage claimed, they moved carefully through its remains, searching for anything of value.

Simon was the first to dive deeper, slipping through splintered beams and corridors until he came upon a row of makeshift cells. At first, they seemed empty until he reached the last. There, half-hidden in shadow, was a crude tub. And inside it… a mermaid.

For a heartbeat, Simon froze. The figure was motionless, too still for comfort.

“Hey, you alright?” His voice echoed strangely in the flooded chamber. When no answer came, a chill went through him like ice. He darted forward, breaking the lock with practiced ease, and swam to their side. Relief washed over him the instant he felt the faint thrum of life still within them.

“Hey.” He patted their cheek gently, trying to draw them back. “You with me?”

When they didn’t stir, Simon made his choice without hesitation. Grunting, he gathered them against his chest, cradling their limp form as though they were the most precious thing in the ocean. He didn’t even know their name, but something deep and certain settled in his bones.

This mermaid was his mate.