Caught on Land

Prince's Castle

I woke up in a...bathtub? I was in a human bathtub, filled with water, and my wounded tail propped up on a table. It didn't hurt as much as it did when I first got it.

I looked around and saw I was in a dimly lit room with huge windows overlooking the beach. I examined everything, it was all expensive, wherever I was, the human who owned this place was very rich.

Suddenly I heard the door swing open and a girl in a maid outfit walked in. She was tall and had long dirty blonde hair (No, it's not Lucy, not yet, hehe). She had warm, hazel eyes and a bright smile.

She was smiling at me "You're finally awake," she had a pretty voice, for a human "My name is Yasumi, I'm the girl who has been taking care of you," "Thank you Yasumi," she suddenly seemed shocked "Are you okay?"

She cleared her throat "Yeah, it's just, your voice is so beautiful," her smile got wider as I smiled at her "Thank you," I looked around again "Where am I?" "You're in the Prince's castle, near the Prince's quarters."

My eyes widened "Do you mind if I ask your name?" She asked, timidly "Oh, how rude of me, my name's Juvia," "Juvia, that's pretty," she came all the way over and started to change the bandages on my tail, it certainly looked better.

"How long have I been out?" I asked, worried about how long I've been out "Almost a week now, it's okay, you haven't missed much." I wasn't worried about what I missed, more about what my father's thinking right now, not to mention the whole of my castle!

And Adaliah! Oh no! Yasumi must've seen my distress because she lightly touched my shoulder "It'll be okay, Juvia." The door creaked open again as someone walked in saying "Is she awake yet...?" It was the Prince, Gray.

Yukira smiled at him "Yes, my Prince, she's awake now," "Can you leave us?" "The bandages, my Lord?" "I'll deal with them," he waved her out and came over to me. He stared at me for the longest time before he suddenly hugged me.

It was kind of awkward at first but I hugged him back making it not an awkward position. His breathing was hard on my neck, like he was about to cry "You worried me, s-so much, don't ever d-do that again!" He tried to scold me but I saw the true feelings.

He was worried, about me!

I smiled and patted his back as warm tears hit my shoulder "It's okay, Gray," careful to use his real name, I had a feeling it made him more comfortable "I'm fine, no need to worry about a dumb mermaid like me."

He suddenly leaned back and stared at me in disbelief "You're not dumb! You're beautiful, and smart and you're just amazing," he touched my cheek with his hand "Don't say that ever again."

I just smiled and leaned my head into his hand. He leaned closer and his lips brushed mine "Don't ever make me worry like that again," his hot breath sending shivers down my spine.

"I won't," I whispered back and he closed the remaining millimetre distance. His lips slammed into mine and forced me back a little. I kissed him back and he deepened the kiss, prying my mouth open and dominating my mouth.

Our tongues wrestled for dominance but he won and I gave in. He leaned back and we sat, staring into each other's eyes and with panting breaths. I smiled "I guess you're happy to see me," he chuckled and I giggled.

I rubbed my nose against his and looked out the window to see Adaliah! My eyes widened, she was attached to the window and crawling up. I leaned back and tried to reach for her but she was too far.

Gray looked to see what I was looking at and saw Adaliah. "Why is there an octopus on my window?" he asked, I could tell he was trying to be calm. "That's Adaliah, you met her before, on the beach." Gray nodded "Yeah," he went to the window and brought her inside, putting her in my lap.

He moved his hand to touch Adaliah but she flinched away from his touch. I mentally scolded Adaliah "Stop it, he's nice, even if you don't think humans are," she gurgled a response "I suppose this one isn't as bad as others." She reached a tentacle towards Gray and brushed it over his hand. Gray stared in interest at Adaliah.

"Show him your telepathy," I said to her and she gurgled. The prince jumped back "W-What was that?!" I giggled and looked at Adaliah "I'm pretty sure that was Adaliah, she has telepathy powers."

Gray frowned at me and Adaliah "I didn't know octopi had telepathy powers," "They don't talk to humans that way, most of them would think you're disgusting." I heard Adaliah gurgle and Gray laughed, I cocked my head to one side "What's so funny?"

Gray looked at me and I saw something in his eyes that I didn't see before, they were softer, more loving. Is that what love looks like? Whatever it was, it made him look all the more handsome. "What?" I said again but Gray just shook his head, chuckling a little still "It's nothing."

I pouted at him and splashed a little water from the tub in his face. Gray laughed harder as he shielded his face from the water. He leaned forward and pecked me on the lips. I stopped pouting and just laid there, with a slightly blushing face.

The prince laughed lightly again and went towards the door a bit "I'll be back later with food, what do you like to eat?" "Just an Anemone Soup," "I'll see what the cooks can cook up." And with that he left, leaving me alone with Adaliah.