Fucking Beautiful

Cale and Witira were currently discussing battle strategies and looking at a map.

"As the Whales attack the ships, we-"

Witira leaned in for a closer look. The side of her body pressed against Cale's, and it felt slightly cool to the touch. Her long blue hair tickled Cale's forearm, and when he turned to look at her, he flinched as he realized she was closer than he expected. She was so close that he could count the number of long eyelashes she had. Every part of her, from her high nose bridge to her soft lips, were ridiculously beautiful, as though the God themselves had spent a long time crafting her body into a masterpiece.

Cale inched away, and jolted again when curious blue eyes lifted to look at him.

"What's wrong?" she asked.

"Wait. Don't stand so close, it's bad for my heart."

"What do you mean, young master Cale?"

"You're too fucking beautiful, it makes elves look like bugs in comparison."

"W-What?" Witira stammered. A soft pink tinged her pale, translucent cheeks.

Cale was speaking objectively.

However, Witira had never heard anyone call her beautiful. She had always been self-conscious of the large X-shaped scar on her back, along with the other scars that covered her body. The scar on her back was so large King Shickler had cried about it three days and nights, saying she might have a difficult time getting married due to the defect. Paseton had cried about it as well, out of guilt and sorrow for the deep cuts that put Witira in danger of bleeding out. However, Witira did not regret her decision to fight the mermaids and protect her family and their weaker brethren. If she could turn back time, she would've blocked the blow for Paseton, again and again. A scar was nothing if it meant she could protect what was precious to her.

Although Witira was attractive, she was also much stronger than any other creature in the ocean, making her hard to approach. Thus, although everyone had unanimously thought of Witira as the most beautiful creature in the deep blue sea, no one had actually told her this to her face.

Now, a man she admired for being an intelligent commander was telling her she was more beautiful than elves, who were widely known to be the most beautiful creatures?

"Do you really mean it, young master Cale?" Her sweet alto voice asked, her voice alluring like a siren. She peered at him through her gorgeous blue eyes which shimmered like the ocean's surface on a night of a full moon. It was a sight so beautiful a painter would dedicate his entire life to be able to capture it onto paper.

Any man would be seduced.

Cale quickly took a step back, holding his own flushed face. He shut his eyes tightly and controlled his breaths. He was disappointed by his own reactions. He should be focusing on discussing the upcoming battle, instead of being so awkward and embarrassing just because he was in front of someone stunningly attractive.

He sighed. "Of course I mean it. Isn't it obvious? It's hard to think when you're standing so close, so please maintain this distance between us."

Witira smiled and didn't bridge the one-meter distance between them, despite feeling the urge to do so. Her heart felt tickled as she watched Cale's blush, a colour which got deeper the longer she stared at him. It stained his cheeks red as though he was drunk, and it was an adorable look on him. He was so clearly affected by her, and in turn, she also felt affected by him.

The two of them stood in the tent, blushing.

Her father had always wondered what sort of men she would end up marrying. He always said she was too strong and wild, so incredibly vicious in battle that no man would be able to match her in her strength and temperament. But maybe she didn't need a man who was stronger than her.

Maybe, she wanted a man who stirred up the protective instincts within her. She remembered their first meeting, the way her heart had been shaken when she saw Cale drenched in seawater and covered in boulder dust. She had instantly wanted to rush over to take care of him and make sure he was okay. Even now, Cale was so worryingly thin, and he was so pale (when he wasn't drunk or blushing).

Maybe, Witira wanted a man who was smart and shy, who looked good in red instead of the blue she was so familiar with. A man who was so different from her and yet so similar, as they worked hard together to protect those who were unable to fight. A weak but good man.

"Young master Cale, you are aware that my brother, Paseton, is mixed blood, right?" When Witira received Cale's nod, she continued to ask, "What do you think about that?"

Cale actually didn't have any particular thoughts about it. His head started to drift to how tigers and lions gave birth to ligers, and how in pokemon, a Ditto could breed with a Wailmer. It's a wonder how a child can be born from two wildly different species. What about the genetic structure? How did it even work?

In the end, he said whatever came to mind, "It's interesting."

"Interesting?"

"Yes, isn't it interesting when love goes beyond things like species?"

"Ah..." Witira gasped at how open-minded Cale was.

She had been worried about his thoughts on interspecies romance and marriage. Even in the ocean, there had been those who looked down on her lovely brother Paseton for being a half-blood instead of a pureblood. Then again, she remembered how Cale had saved her brother without a single ounce of hesitation, and was stepping in again to help the Whale tribe. Perhaps all living creatures were equal in Cale's eyes. What a wonderful person he was. Witira admired Cale Henituse even more after hearing his response.

With determination, Witira promised, "I will protect you, young master Cale. Please call upon me whenever you need my help. No, please call upon me anytime. I will find you as long as I'm not taking care of something urgent."

She pressed a beautiful blue conch shell in his hands. Witira was careful not to let their fingers touch, since Cale had asked for distance. She wanted to respect that. She wanted him to be able to think about her words and actions, to think about her, and come to his own decisions. Still, she wished he would choose her.

With a gentle smile, she said to Cale, who was still adorably confused, "I hope one day we can close this distance between us."