(Tristan)
He's such a jerk!
I remember watching pirate ships pass when I was younger. I thought they were so cool and that whoever was on them had to be just as amazing. I wanted to learn what they knew, talk to them, and do anything they did.
It was exciting until I met Lucca. If that's what a pirate is, I can't believe that I ever wanted to meet someone like him.
Sure he's attractive, funny, bold, and he gives me butterflies in my stomach, but he only wanted to tease me. For a minute I thought he was being nice by showing me around the ship. I can't see it when my hair is dry so he showed me around when it was wet.
I've never had someone be that considerate of me. Not even when I was considered a prince. Everything my family did was for the betterment of the tribe as a whole. Not for a single person. Alyssa and I are close, but I haven't known her that long and I'd be lying if I said she wasn't selfish.
He made me feel special.
I guess the joke's on me because he only wanted to make fun of me for the feelings I have. Maybe I shouldn't have admitted it. I should've just told him that me feelings for him went away.
The worst part is that no matter how mad I am at him, I still can't get him off my mind. Out of all the people I could fall for, it just has to be him. A pirate who hates my kind. A grumpy guy with an attitude. A person who enjoys teasing me for no reason. That's who I'm stuck with?
I shockingly manage to make it home before my senses fade, but before I can unlock the door, they're completely gone. No sight. No speech. Now I have to get the door open by feeling around for the handle. I dig in my pocket for the key before putting it into the lock.
Once the door is unlocked, I swing it open. I jump when it hits the wall and cringe once I realize that everyone in the building is probably sleeping. I close it much slower and turn around.
This is the hard part. I haven't even been blind for a whole day so trying to get into my bedroom is going to be like walking around with my eyes closed.
I take a deep breath and finally start to move, using my muscle memory to find my way to my room. It works pretty well until I step on one of Alyssa's shoes and tumble to the ground with an even louder thud.
I sigh and stand back up, sticking my hands out to feel anything around me. I must've turned the wrong way or something because the next thing I run into is the coffee table which is nowhere close to my bedroom door.
I don't know why Livia had to do this to me. She's manipulative and mean. I should've seen it when I first met her, but I didn't. I love my legs, but now I'm in debt to her. I have to do what she says even if it means screwing over the pirates that I longed to be like.
She wanted Alyssa dead. Apparently a dragon may be stronger than her and she must've been scared. That's who the guy was. The price for Alyssa's life is some stupid rock called the Bhalaosc. When I told her 'no' she took my sight.
I think her exact words were "I'll let your friend live but everything comes with a price. I'll return your voice and sight once you get me the Bhalaosc. You met some pirates yesterday. They'll lead you straight to it, and all you have to do it steal it from them and hand it over to me."
I don't know what this mystical rock is, but I need it. I need my sight and voice. I need Alyssa around. I need Livia to help me, so why is there a nagging feeling in the back of my head telling me that something bad will happen if I give it to her? Why would such a powerful witch need something like that? Why would I give her even more power than she already has?
By the time I stumble into my room, I'm sure the whole building is awake. Maybe I need a walking stick or something to keep me from running into things. I sigh and shake the thoughts out of my head. I won't be blind for long.
I strip out of my clothes and fall onto my bed with a soft huff. I'm glad I'm not thinking of Livia, but once I'm under my blankets, two other people fill my head.
I don't like comparing people, but I can't help but to ponder their personalities. Leonel is kind and generous. He flirts in a way that makes me think it's an accident, and he's much calmer and gentler than Lucca.
Lucca is over the top, but funny. He's also extremely attractive. Although I don't want to admit it, I like the way he flirts with me. It's more… aggressive and bold. At first I thought he hated me, but seeing the way he treats other people makes me realize that he's just like that. It's his personality.
Leonel would never do anything without making sure I'm comfortable, but Lucca seems to have more fun when I'm not comfortable. He wants me to get my words stuck in my throat. He wants my cheeks to turn pink. He wants to tease me in a way that will make me react.
Just thinking about it reminds me of how his fingers felt. They moved across my skin like it was second nature, but they never pushed down too hard. It was like a tickling sensation until he touched my lips.
I thought he was going to kiss me, and as soon as I let myself show him that I wanted it, he pulled away. It's like he's more comfortable doing things to me when I'm telling him not to.
I turn onto my stomach and sigh deeply. Cuddling further into my covers as I drift off to sleep with my mind still locked on Lucca.
***
The next morning I wake up to Alyssa shaking me gently. Once I open my eyes she stops. "Wakey wakey."
I stretch my arms over my head and yawn, causing her to yawn as well. "Morning. Could you get me some water?"
As soon as I ask, I feel a cup of cold water being poured on my head. Not enough to get me soaked, but enough to make all of my hair wet. I pout, looking down at my now wet bed. "Not what I meant."
"I know, but we've got to be quick. Your boyfriend said the grumpy one is only giving us half an hour to be at the boat. Aren't you excited, though? We have the whole sea and a crew of pirates waiting for us." She sits next to me and ruffles my hair a bit.
I can instantly feel her warmth next to me. She radiates heat. It makes me feel dumb for not realizing her species sooner.
"Half an hour? How do I pack all of my things in half an hour!" I sigh and shoot up out of bed. I rush to my closet and open to find that all of my things aren't in there.
"I already did it, hun. I left a sweater and some jeans on the sink in your bathroom though. Just get dressed and let's head down to the dock. I need to meet people before we leave."
I appreciate that she's helping me out with everything. As I get dressed for the day, I start to think about how different I am now than I was before.
I used to love speaking to people, but now communication feels more like a burden than it does an opportunity. I used to be so curious about things, and I still am but after this whole thing backfired, I can't help but to feel like maybe I should stop.
"I got one of your boyfriend's sexy pirate minions to take our bags to the ship." She informs me, taking my hand to lead me to the door.
She turns around and looks at my little apartment before gesturing for me to do the same. "Say goodbye. Our voyage awaits."
I look back for a moment. This was never my home. I spent four years in this place pretending to be something I'm not. I'm not a human. I'm not meant to be on land. I'll find my place.
I take her hand and drag her with me as I run down the stairs, throwing the doors open to walk outside. The fresh sun feels warm on my skin and the streets are empty due to how early it is.
I can smell the sea. Even from a mile away and can feel that our journey is just waiting for us at the docks. I can hear the ocean calling to me. Luring me home.
I want to go home. I've never wanted something so much in my life. I don't want to go back to my parents or my tribe. All I want is to be consumed by the sea. I want to look around and see nothing but blue.
It doesn't matter where I am, or where I'll go. The ocean will always be my home.
I laugh softly and turn to Alyssa with a big smile. "Race?" I ask.
She takes her heels off, holding them in one hand as she shrugs. "3."
"2." I answer before we both take off down the road without bothering to wait for the the last number.
We both run until we get to the ship, laughing and shoving at each other as the pirates all file onto it.
This is dangerous. I know that they hate my kind. If I fall overboard and they see me, they'll kill me. The only people who would even think to stop them is Alyssa and Leonel. Maybe even Lucca, but I'm sure the rest of these pirates would gladly murder me.
Leonel was smart enough to figure me out. I doubt the other pirates are as smart as he is. The voices of the pirates all seem to mingle together and flood my ears until one stands out.
"His name is Tristan. He'll be with us on our journey along with his friend Alyssa. Leonel found them when we were searching for tools. They helped us fix the ship, and in return we said they could come with us."
I turn my head to see Lucca talking to a much older man with long hair which makes me wonder if that's why Lucca keeps his long. That's his father.
Both of them look over at me making me wave. Just as I do, my sight starts to get dark around the edges.
"Crap." I mutter as I reach my hands up to run through my now dry hair. Within a few seconds, my vision is completely black.
I stand totally still, not wanting anyone to notice that I can't see anymore. When I hear footsteps walking towards me, I stick my arms out. My hands touch something warm, hard, and flat, and once I move them around, I realize it's a person.
I gasp and yank my arms back, feeling the heat creep up to my cheeks. Soon after Alyssa starts giggling, so I glare in her general direction. Why does everyone like watching me get embarrassed?
"Good morning, Tristan, Alyssa, did you both sleep well?" I recognize it as Leonel. I nod as Alyssa snorts.
"Like shit. Nemo came home bumping into everything, and making a ton of noise." She complains.
I turn to her with a look that shows her that I'm sorry for being so loud, but she just nudges me playfully.
"I'm just joking, hun. Don't look so sad."
"I agree. You are much more beautiful when you smile."
As per usual, I feel my cheeks get bright red at the compliment. I smile and sign a 'Thank you.'
"I spy with my little eye three people who will be left at the port if they don't get their asses on the ship!" Lucca shouts at us. "Ten seconds. Ten, Nine, Eight.."
"Seven, Six, Five." Alyssa mocks. "I'm surprised you learned to count backwards from ten."
"I could just tell the captain of the ship that our guests decided not to board." Lucca threatens with a smug tone of voice. "Honestly, it's up to you."
Alyssa groans and guides me into the ship, admitting defeat. "Lost the battle, Tris. Not the war."
When she lets go of my hand and walks off, I actually panic a little bit. I don't know the people on here and I can't let them know that I'm blind or it will bring up so many questions I can't answer.
I hear soft footsteps come from behind me, making me jump. I start to turn around, but when a pair of large hands grab my waist roughly, I have no choice but to face forward.
He leans down, letting me feel his breath against my ear. I try to stay calm. It's probably just Leonel, but when that thought crosses my mind, my breath speeds up for a different reason.
"How cute. You must've assumed I was Leonel, huh? Surprise." The voice chuckles deeply, and he starts to push me forward, carefully guiding me to a different area of the ship.
Upon hearing the low and slightly raspy voice, I realize that it's Lucca. I try to turn in his arms and get him to let go, but he doesn't budge. I don't really mind that he's touching me. Holding me, but I don't like the uncertainty. I don't want to fall for him if it's just a game to him.
"So quiet. Have you not realized who I am yet, or are you just too shocked to say anything?" He teases.
I hear a door close, and his footsteps come to a halt, mine doing the same. He loosens his grip enough to let me turn towards him, but once I do, he pulls me up against his chest.
This was probably not the best idea.
His hand slowly traces up my neck, and finally his fingers tangle in my hair. He says nothing, but laughs softly as he gives my blond hair a tug.
I gasp softly as he does so. His body is so warm compared to mine. It's nice.
His hand leaves my hair and moves down to rest on my cheek. I can't help but to enjoy the warmth of it. "I guess it's useless to talk to you when your hair is dry, but I'm sure you'd like to see the ship in the daylight. I guess that means I should get you wet then."
I ignore his sexual implication and nod. He leads me into what I assume is the bathroom, and has me sit on the edge of the bathtub. I hear the water turn on, but he doesn't ask me to move, so I just sit still.
What shocks me is when water is dumped on my head with no warning at all. It drenches my clothes, but my hair soaks it up.
I hear his contagiously boisterous laughter as I blink the blackness away. I stare up at him as my sight comes back.
The first thing I see completely takes my breath away. His smile is so bright and wide that it's impossible to stay mad at him, and his laughter soon has me doing the same.
He's never smiled at me like that. Usually it's a smirk or a smug grin, but this... this is what happiness looks like. His laughter is so cute as well. Every bit of this moment warms my heart beyond belief.
Maybe what he shows everyone else is some tough guy facade. Maybe this is the real Lucca. If I'm right, Leonel doesn't stand a chance.
"You could've warned me." I tell him once we compose ourselves enough to speak.
He shakes his head, letting his smile fall into his normal cocky smirk. "I knew you'd react like that. How could I pass that up?"
I roll my eyes at him playfully. "I thought you were only going to do this when you need to talk to me." I fold my arms across my chest as he responds.
"The best part of being in a ship is seeing it. Even if we didn't hit it off like you and Leonel did, this ship has been my whole life since I was 10. I like showing people every part of it. The view from the bow is something even you have to see." He admits, reaching his hand out to me. "It's been a while since you've been at sea, hasn't it?"
"Yeah. I stay close to shore, but I doubt there's much in the sea that I haven't seen yet." I answer, taking his hand and letting him help me stand.
I remember all of the creatures I came across. Most I saw while I was on my way to land, but there's some creatures that lived near my tribe. The ocean is so vast that it's impossible to see everything in it, but I can bet that I've seen more than any human ever will.
"There's this cave we always stop by when we come this way. Usually we dock the boat and roam around freely. A few years ago I found this area in it where there's a little pool of water and at night it glows. I'd like to show you. Although, the animals on the island may try to rip your face off on the way there."
"I'm a merman. I could eat any animal on the planet, and in my true form, I have three rows of razor sharp teeth. It would be very dumb for an animal to try to attack me." I confess, only partly joking.
A real smile appears across his face as he comes closer, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Should I be scared?" He teases, wrapping his arm around my waist.
"Maybe." I respond, staring into his eyes as he does the same to me.
I'm supposed to be resisting my feelings for him. I don't want to be a part of his game, but his smile is so genuine, and his laugh is just beautiful.
We grow closer and closer, our lips almost touching when the bedroom door swings open, causing a loud slam to echo into the bathroom.
Lucca sighs, his genuine smile molding back into his resting scowl. He grabs the front of my shirt and yanks me close, kissing the shell of my ear. "Remember to stay wet."
He pulls away and smirks as he opens the bathroom door, causing Leonel to stumble inside.
Lucca just rolls his eyes and pats him on the back. "Nice eavesdropping. He can see and speak, so show him around."
After he leaves, Leonel and I stand awkwardly in the bathroom until he speaks. "Do you want to see anything in particular?"
He seems far less passionate about the ship than Lucca, but I guess he knows enough to show me around.
"Well, so you have one of those tall poles that you can climb up and see everything for miles?" I ask. I've only seen it in a cartoon and I'm not sure if every ship has one, but I'm hoping this one does. It seemed so cool.
"Pole? Climb up... oh! Do you mean a crows nest? We have one." He grabs my wrist and leads me out of the room, pointing up high once we're back out on the deck.
"Yes!" I yell with a bit too much excitement. It earns me a few looks from the crew, so I lower my voice. "Can we go up there?"
"Well, I can't say 'no' to such a pretty face. As long as you don't let me fall, I suppose I can go." He agrees, gesturing to the ladder. "You first."
I climb up the tall ladder as quickly as I can, stopping every once in a while to catch my breath and wait for Leonel, who is going much slower to avoid falling. I think he's afraid of heights.
After what seems like forever, we get to the top, and I look out over the edge in awe.
"It's so beautiful." I comment, staring into the blue ocean, noticing dolphins and even a whale jumping out of the water.
"Yeah, beautiful…" I hear Leonel mumble, and from the corner of my eye I can tell he's not looking at the ocean.
I bite my lip to hide my smile, and put my hands on the edge of the nest. I breathe in the intoxicating scent of salt water while feeling the breeze in my damp hair. Way up here it's silent. Peaceful. It almost feels like I'm flying around in the sky. Completely free of the drama and worries that come with being a merman on a pirate ship.
I look over to Leonel whose gaze is still locked on me. "It's nice up here, but we should probably head back before my hair dries. I don't know how well I'll do on the ladder if I can't see."
He takes a step forward and curls a strand of my hair around his finger, the smile never fading from his face. "If only we could stay up here all day, talking, watching the waves as we sway gently above them. I also wouldn't mind seeing such a sight for that long." He pulls his hand away and walks to the ladder, grimacing at the height.
"But you're right, I must introduce you to the crew as well. I'll go first, be careful on your way down."
I nod as he starts climbing down. I follow suit, and soon enough, we reach the bottom. He takes my hand, gathering the crew, and introducing me to them. "Everyone, this is Tristan and his friend Alyssa. They're new to the crew so everyone treat them as if they've been on this ship for as long as we have."
Half of the crew gives big welcoming smiles while the other half gives unsure and worried glances. I'm sure they've all been together for a long time and having two new people is just difficult for them.
The whispering between them grows louder and louder until Lucca walks through and hushes them all. "We were all new once, I don't expect anyone to treat them as if they are lesser than us. If I find out that things like that have been occurring then I won't hesitate to throw you off the ship. I'm sure my father would agree."
Lucca's father, walks through the gathered crowd and straight up to where Alyssa and I stood. "I'd like for you two to introduce yourselves properly, you don't need him to baby you and do it for you."
"Of course, sir." Alyssa says with a wide smile, sticking her hand out. "I tried to tell him that, but he's a hardhead. It's so hard to believe that someone as youthful as you could have a son as old as Lucca. My name is Alyssa. It's very nice to meet you."
"Hey, just how old do you think I am?" Lucca comments from the back but is silenced by his father's big hearty laugh.
"I like you already. Alyssa was it? I'll have to remember that." He then looks to me, expression hardening. "And you? Who may you be?"
"My name's Tristan, sir." I introduce shyly. "Your ship looks beautiful. Thank you for allowing us to travel with you."
"You helped get her up and going again after all, I should be the one thanking you. Took me years to build this beauty into what it is today." He smiles and gave the edge of the ship a gentle pat before turning to his crew with his arms spread wide open.
"Tonight we celebrate! For our two new crew members, Tristan and Alyssa, welcome aboard!"
The crew cheers in response to their excited captain, repeating his last two words. "Welcome aboard!"