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142 » like a wolf in the dark of the night
art commissioned from cw9sq.
part one.
[It takes Kaeya's crew three days to sail towards the southern islet where Aether thought there might be treasure — either from some long-lost civilization, or more recently left behind by another pirate crew attempting to avoid detection, but that hardly matters as long as Kaeya's the one laying claim to it in the end.
Huffman says it's been smooth sailing — preternaturally so. He swears there was a rough and stormy night where he thought he might have to call Lawrence down from the crow's nest for safety's sake — but, strangely, their ship seemed to glide through the choppy waters, unbuoyed by the wrath of the sea and unbothered by the howling gale. Aside from being wet and cold, Lawrence was just fine.
In that time, it seems, their captive mermaid has made himself quite comfortable in the captain's suite. The bit about needing to be returned to the water was all a lie, of course, and since then, he hasn't asked to return to the ocean; instead, he's taken delight in attempting to learn how to read, and he requested paper and pen to do so, though rather than practice his letters, it seems he's only attempted to draw the objects around him as he spends most of his time snuggled up to Kaeya's pillows. Bizarrely, the mermaid seems to have become shy around the members of the crew, and has thus far declined to leave Kaeya's room — it might simply be that he doesn't wish to be seen slithering about like a snake, but when asked, he said something rather odd: Why would I need to meet other men?
(He's become — it's fair to say this — mildly pushy about sex. He's asked for Kaeya's time every night, three out of three days; he always emerges from their lovemaking in a much better mood, and so much more affectionate, prone to humming quietly while he works his hands through Kaeya's hair and threads little braids through it before drifting off to sleep.)
Today, too, they've woken up tangled up in each other again. Aether's warm, even through his fishy tail; he stirs when he feels Kaeya stirring, as he's learned to do, and then blinks blearily up at him, ethereally pretty and strangely radiant where most humans, even the beautiful ones, tend to look a little undone first thing in the morning.]
Good morning.
[He says this quietly, in his sweet, melodic voice, but it's hard not to hear the eager delight in it; it's how he's greeted Kaeya every day thus far. It's sort of puppyish: Good morning! Good morning! What are we doing today?]
Did you sleep well?
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The fact that he has a mermaid on board, happily suited to flitting about his small cabin, drawing and giggling and humming little tunes to himself as they travel along, and the fact that they make it through a rather nasty patch of weather unharmed--he doesn't think that these two things are independent from each other, and doesn't think that one has nothing to do with another. He doesn't know how, of course, and doesn't want to ask Aether that, either: who would want to look a gift horse in the mouth, as they say? He conducts the business of their travel coolly, as he would always; he values the lives of his crew, and is pleased to find that they make good time out to the place where Aether thought there might be treasure.
It's because of this, too, that he thinks he can trust his judgment, or better yet, his memory--and it's because of this, he thinks, that they fuck so spectacularly, over those three days, as though keeping Aether at the peak of his happiness will bode well for them and their journey.
It's early morning, at this point, and he knows they'll be to the island by mid-afternoon; there should be just enough time to set up a camp on the shore and begin exploration before nightfall. He personally doesn't mind slinking around like a cat in the dark; his crew is used to that, too. This is the only time he thinks he might be met with Aether's ire, instead of his pleasure; after all, how would the mermaid come along with him? It would be too dangerous, and too rough terrain.
So he's gentle, when he wakes--gentle, as he shifts onto his side to look at the ethereal sight of Aether, pressed up against him, warm and sated. There's a smile on his face, and it's surprisingly genuine. ]
I did. [ This is his usual answer--accompanied by a smart, playful little slap to the rump of Aether's tail. ] Did you have any more dreams, last night?
[ Aether doesn't need it, but he finds pleasure in doing so, anyway: his hand lifts, slides up the length of Aether's tail to his body to his face, gently tucking a bit of hair behind his ear. ]
no subject
Why do you always do that?
[Alas and alack, the lovely mermaid may never understand the pleasure of slapping booty. But never mind that. Lolling on his side, Aether presses his cheek into Kaeya's hand, quite visibly enjoying the pirate's touch. Like a little hamster, or a kitten perhaps, he nuzzles until he's satisfied — then sighs and stills.]
I dreamt of my sister. [He's dreamt of his sister for the past few days, it seems. Evidently, she would like to send him a message.] I've attempted to convey to her that I am fine and well, but still she will not call off the search. Small wonder, I suppose, given my condition.
[He opens his eyes, stretching slightly as he looks Kaeya up and down — or is it side-to-side, as they lay in the bed?]
Though I do think it would be very funny to make you explain to her how you kidnapped me.
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[ It's a terribly bad idea, but he knows that Aether would never truly let him go through with it; instead, he faces him with the grin of a cat, pleased and warm and sleepy, as he works his fingers carefully through the sleep-tousled strands of Aether's hair. They really ought to work a brush through it, especially after such a tangled night together, but for now he wants to leave them content to lay here, together, instead of going through the tasks that he knows they must before they greet the crew. For now, there is a little bit of private time they can spend together; for now, they don't have to answer to the calls of manners and proper grooming.
The way that Aether speaks of his sister is interesting--and it's not that he would have preferred to scoop her up, catch her in his net and have her sulking at one corner of his bunk, but it's more the way that Aether speaks of his dreams as though they have more meaning than just the fleeting whims of unconsciousness that piques his interest; is that the way it works between them? Could he call out to her now?
With a soft sigh, he lets his hand fall, resting along the side of Aether's neck. ]
You know, if you wanted to see her again, I wouldn't stop you.
[ It's meant to be a kindness; he hopes that Aether can read the surprising twitch of sincerity in his voice. ]
I can imagine it is hard for you to be apart from her. I don't quite understand the sentiment myself, but I don't want to keep you too long from family that misses you, if you miss them back.
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It's true that we miss each other, but even if I were in the palace with her, she wouldn't have time for me anyway.
[Languid and lazy, the mermaid takes up the hand on his neck, presses Kaeya's knuckles to his lips. Kisses them softly, even a little worshipfully. He's so clearly been won over to some strange, twisted sense of loyalty toward Kaeya that this arrangement of theirs, by any heartbreaker's measure, can have absolutely no good ends.]
Our attendants keep us separated. She mustn't be seen with me, and all. She tries to visit me, but her duties keep her from spending as much time with me as she'd like.
[A sigh, and the ocean creature closes his eyes again, lolling his head against Kaeya's pillow. That little hint of sincerity; can he sink into that? Can he believe in that?]
Since the people don't like to see me, either, I just... felt that leaving the city altogether was the best course of action. [A shrug.] Even if my sister wants to see me — in the city or in the palace, I'm a burden.
[With a quiet sigh, Aether rolls closer, sinking into the tantalizing warmth of Kaeya's body in the bed beside him.]
So — it's fine. Don't worry about us. She knows how I feel about myself.
[...Which is likely the exact reason his sister is so desperate to find him, but he doesn't quite seem to understand.]
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After all, what can he do about such problems? It doesn't sound like the sort of thing that money will fix, and he certainly can't change the minds of a thousand others that aren't even his species. He can barely change the mind of his own brother. He's seen well enough the way that humans, at least, move with the tide of public opinion; it doesn't seem to matter what is right and what is wrong, or more importantly, what is true and what is not--the only thing that matters is who is loud enough about what they believe.
And to know that merpeople are just as simple-minded, just a bunch of clams all snapping at the same thing?
There's a soft chuckle, a faint shake of his head. His hand moves, plucks playfully at Aether's lip, before he slides his hand back down his body. ]
Sounds like we're just going to have to make you a human, then, isn't that right?
[ It's a ridiculous notion, albeit harmless--just something to lift Aether's spirits up, even if it may simply result in Aether pinching or prodding at him in irritation. ]
Come now. I have to get dressed.
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Huffing, the mermaid withdraws away from the delicious sleepy warmth of Kaeya's body and back into his own end of the bed. He rests his face in one of his hands; being rather round-faced, this posture makes his cheeks puff up against his palm.]
That's not an easy decision to make. You'd have to teach me to walk, and eat, and all these other human things... Think it over more carefully.
[He's not expecting Kaeya to fix his problems. Still, whatever problems Kaeya may have — if those are things that he can fix or have a hand in —
Well, a few days ago he was refusing to look the captain in the eyes. Now he lounges upon the bed, eagerly watching him change. There's been progress made, in some respects.]
...As long as you're having fun right now, that's all that matters.
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[ But that's the thing about mothers, isn't it? Even the most terrible of them have at least some measure of love in their body, some selflessness that lets them achieve such things. If he were to ask anyone about his ability to raise a child, surely they would laugh; there's no way that anyone would ever think him capable of being anything but selfishly in pursuit of money and pleasure. Is that even the truth? Or has he simply worked so hard to convince everyone of it that at times, even he believes it?
With his back to Aether, now, in pursuit of changing clothes, there's no chance of the mermaid seeing his expression: troubled, slightly, lips pulled into a frown. Family is something of a sore subject, and here, he's hurt himself just mentioning it out loud, hasn't he? Not even capable of remembering his own mother.
The pants he slept in, the underwear beneath, those are folded and tossed away, and it's only once he's pulling up a fresh pair of pants over a fresh pair of underwear that he turns back to Aether--his expression is as bright as usual, glittering with amusement. ]
I'm having plenty of fun. Are you? [ There's a little lean, casting over the bed again, so that he can pluck a kiss to Aether's cute little cheek, and then lean back against. ] You might be bored while I'm off being a fantastic hero, tonight.
[ His fingers drum through the air, thinking--until he finds the shirt he's looking for, pulling it up over his head, threading arms through the soft white sleeves. ]
Think you can handle it, pretty?
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Hm? I meant to go with you.
[...That pronouncement brings up the obvious question of... how. Aether hasn't moved much if at all these past few days, and he's already made clear his particular distaste for — what was it? — dragging himself like a snake upon the ground. What, then, is his game?
Before elaborating, Aether seems to straighten on the bed somewhat, then clears his throat a little — that's a new one. Perhaps even mermaids, with their ethereal voices, are occasionally less than perfect... or else he's simply started to pick up some of Kaeya's mannerisms.
Then:]
Bring me a bucket of water.
[...He can't mean... No. He can't be serious?]
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[ Can't what? Well, certainly Aether can't walk, and certainly he's no prince, here to kiss him into a pair of human legs, or some magical witch able to change anything about him, but Aether could technically join them, if he wanted to crawl his way there.
It wouldn't be awkward, really, but it might cause some fear in the other sailors, set to mark the path out for him and guard the perimeter of it while he seeks out the treasure, might cause rumors or make them nervous about having Aether near them. So far, he thinks that everyone on the ship has done a remarkable job of getting used to the mermaid's presence, but even so: he doesn't want to take any sort of risk. The crew is his family now; Aether is important, too. He doesn't want either of them to clash.
Besides, Aether doesn't want to slither along, pulled by his tail and his arms working to scuttle him across sand and beach. So then--?
A bucket? He can't help it: immediately he laughs, as though it must be some sort of joke. ]
For what? You want to wash your face? I can certainly do that for you...
[ But the look of determination, on Aether's face? It makes Kaeya's smile slip down, and affronted, one of his hands fits onto his hip. ]
...You can't be serious. What good is a bucket going to do? You're quite long, you know.
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I-I'm not going to be in the bucket! [Gosh, what is Kaeya imagining? Then again, in the absence of all other available information...] I only need the water...
[He would normally meet Kaeya's affronted expression with an affronted one of his own, but something about this bucket misunderstanding has him on the verge of something that feels sort of fluttery in his chest. He doesn't think he's ever had the experience. It doesn't feel as bitter as shame does. So, then — embarrassment?]
And I don't need you to wash my face!
[Like a nervous tic, the end of his tail keeps spreading wide and then closing. Maybe it's roughly analogous to tapping a foot or bouncing an ankle. He looks up at Kaeya again, more apologetically this time.]
...Just... bring me a bucket of water, please.
[Oh, seems Kaeya's taught him some manners.]
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[ The water? It doesn't seem to really make sense--after all, even if he does bring a bucket in here, sloshes seawater all over his nice floors, it will only last for so long. Eventually, the water will dry up, leave Aether's tail just as dry as before, and they'll be back to him crawling along the boardwalk like some kind of hungry sea creature. His doubts are obvious; they're shown in the way his brows lift, the way his lips press together, before escaping with a rueful breath.
Because then again, what the hell does he know? Maybe Aether can magic the bucket into something big enough to stuff his plump little tail into, maybe he can coat himself with enough water to swim through the air? They're ridiculous ideas, but he's smiling to himself, instead of staring, and after a moment, he tosses both hands up in the air as though in surrender. ]
Very well. You have learned how to say 'please' quite well, my sweet.
[ It's maybe the first time he's ever heard Aether use it, after all.
So he slips past the bed, moves around the overcrowded desk and the chair bolted in there, darts his way over the clothes that they've both thrown here and there around the quarters like it never matters much to pick them up. Down the corridor, up the stairs, twisting through another set of rooms, for one of the washing buckets filled with water--some of it sloshes as the boat lurches, and he carries it one-handed back through the doorway, setting it down with a careful clang by the bedside.
With one hand, he gestures out towards the bucket, as though it's something grand, filled with jewels or gold. ]
Your bucket of water, my love. [ And there's a short wink to that, as though plying Aether with cute little pet names will have him making those shrill ocean sounds of pleasure again. ] Now what?
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He thinks Kaeya is cute.
Aether's not so prideful that he needs to move in style all of the time — in fact, behind the haughty mask, he's not very prideful at all — so he doesn't work his magic with any particular flourishes worth mentioning. He pokes a little at the water, first; then, when he lifts his wrist, the water follows his hand, levitating up and out of the bucket and forming a sort of loose bubble. Another few movements refine the bubble's shape into a perfect sphere, and then Aether slides into it as elegantly as a fish cuts through water lilies, lifting himself up and off the mattress into his safe barrier of water.
He does a little loop-de-loop inside the sphere of water before he's satisfied with the space — then he turns to Kaeya and presses his fingers against the bubble's surface. Interestingly, it's gone hard, like glass.]
See? Now I can go with you.
[A cutesy little swish of his plump tail punctuates his remark.]
Who knows what trouble you'll get into if I'm not there?
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Will it pop? Does it require Aether's concentration? Unfolding his arms, one hand lifts as though to meet their fingertips together against the shell--lightly, carefully, he traces his index finger along the slender curve of the bubble, not putting too much pressure on it despite its apparent stability. ]
More like you'll get into loads of trouble if I leave you behind.
[ It's a gentle tease, but the way he winks again may betray the fact that there's some measure of truth to it after all--still, he bends down, scoops up the handle of the empty bucket and sets it aside, out of the way, as though not wanting Aether's bubble to roll over it. ]
You'll be careful. [ --he says this like a command, rather than a wish, as he leads the way out of his quarters; it's a familiar path to Aether now, he thinks, as they find the ladder to bring them back up from the shadows of the ship's underbelly to the deck itself. The sun feels a little chilly, somehow, once it hits his skin--his good eye squints against it as he brings himself up onto his feet again, nodding faintly to a few of the crew who are working on preparations.
He isn't nervous, but there is a glance spared behind him, to Aether--there's a nod to the space further down on the deck, where a few of the men are setting about getting the row boats ready to approach the tiny island; there's no way they can maneuver such a large ship so close, worried about the bottom of it catching on rocks or unhospitable terrain. ]
Go make yourself comfortable, darling. I'll be just a moment.
[ Aether doesn't need a boat: but then again, if that bubble of his touches water, what will happen? With instructions given, Kaeya moves across the deck so that he can address one of the crew members carrying something rather important--his sword, which is passed over to him. They engage in a quiet, pointed conversation; perhaps he wanted to keep part of this away from Aether's delicate ears. ]