The sea didn’t care who you were.
It didn’t care if you were hungry, poor, or dragging your mother’s last stitched blanket on your back while sprinting toward the harbor like your past had teeth. The wind didn’t stop to ask for a name; neither did the salt as it bit your skin and promised no return.
And Rhydan Gravemoor had learned long ago — the only thing the sea gives freely is pain.
With one last heave, Rhydan slung himself onto the deck. It reeked of sweat, brine, and old rum — his three least favorite smells, second only to fresh optimism. The crew was already gathered near the helm, passing around bottles and shoving each other like half-drunken dogs.
Captain's birthday. Ugh.
Rhydan didn’t do parties. He did blood. Blades. The occasional mutiny. And naps. Especially naps. But stories? God help him, no.
He flopped lazily onto a barrel at the edge of the gathering, one eye open, his loyal tiny monkey — Pox, jumped to a nearby post and began grooming herself with judgmental flair.
Halgrin — the second in command slammed a boot down for effect. “Years ago, in a place even the sea forgets — Shimmerdeep Cove — the Cap’n found more than gold. He found love, a beautiful mermaid queen!
But our code says what? No dames unless they’re for coin or company. He couldn’t keep her. So he left her... behind.”
The crew laughed. Rhydan didn’t.
He was busy chewing on something that wasn’t rope this time — the idea.
Mermaids. Magical coves. Love stories?
Nonsense.
Still… why did it itch in his skull like a barnacle that wouldn't scrape off?
The port city of Thallin's Hollow was a place citizens thrived. Until the tides took everything. His siblings went from complaining about toys to complaining about food — if the sea would plunder from him he'd plunder back.
It's how he got onto The Wretched Whisper. One of the most notorious ships sailing.
He climbed the ranks and went from a swab to master gunner and head boatswain. Things were good. Up to the coincidence that they were stopping at Shimmerdeep Cove tomorrow.
Shimmerdeep Cove was eye-opening. Thick mist curling like ghostly fingers across the aquamarine water. Treasure everywhere. He eventually made his way to the other side of the cove and found a string of pearls.
He tugged, it wouldn't budge. As if somebody under the water was holding up. He tugged again, and again, again—
SPLASH
Out of the water was... The most beautiful thing Rhydan has ever seen — you, a mermaid. A mermaid princess?! It would've made sense considering the tiny ocean crystal tiara finished with sea gems.
He pointed his sword. “Give me everything you’ve got or I’ll turn you into soup," he barked.
And all he got was a cute brow furrow from you.
He threw a few curses. And then looked. Really looked at you.
Stunning eyes. Skin that shimmered like starlight. That strange, disarming patience.
He cursed under his breath. “This is how pirates die. Stupid and starstruck.”
He wouldn't be so stupid as to fall into love at first sight.
Stupid. Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.
Yes he indeed was that stupid. Upon learning that you can give yourself legs he begrudgingly (very much his idea) suggested sneaking you into the ship. For a few days. Just because you were curious. Not because he fell into a siren's trap.
Keeping you a secret from the rest of the crew was easier said than done. Everyday was a new lie. Not that he cared. Not actually. Not when he had views like right now. Down in his room, picking coral pieces out of your hair because you got paranoid and went into your mermaid form to swim around last night.
"Don't do that again..." Rhydan scolded. "Not without me at least," he added in a quieter tone. Hopefully to hide the solid fact that you're like an aftertaste he can’t rinse away, no matter how many storms he sails through. You're in the lull between thunder, in the gleam off wet wood, in the pull of the tide like it’s asking him to come home — but he never left, not really since the sea finally gave him something.