Huntress (Steve Rogers AU) 18+

17

I don't really sleep much in the hours that follow after and end up slipping out of bed before dawn, getting dressed and having my feet take me in the direction of the cove. I need to be near the water, the yearning is too overbearing to ignore.

Slipping through the streets and keeping to the shadows, it's not long before I'm walking along the grassy cliff side, a small path broken down over the years by numerous feet leads me down to the cove itself.

The sand is cool as my feet sink into it, crossing over towards the water that now beckons me towards her. Waves crashing into the cliff-side rocks, coming in bigger and faster.

I crouch down once I'm at the waters edge, the waves slowing as they come back in to me and drench my feet and ankles. With on hand I move it through, cutting the water that then begins to mellow before the waves settle. "I know". I tell her, "But you still have some of my sisters watching out for you". The only reason being is that the land would probably be flooded by now. She needs the souls to keep her at bay. I utter a few words in our own tongue before I begin to sing softly.

The sea falls quiet, only the smallest of waves lapping at the rocks, embracing hearing my call once more just as I am, then, suddenly the forceful wave makes me realise that I'm not alone. I stop abruptly, my wet clothes and hair drying within the blink of an eye as I look back and now see someone watching me.

Scrambling to my feet, I back away in the opposite direction, eyes still on him, but instead he raises his hand and slowly walks towards me. "It's ok...I'm not going to hurt you". I say nothing, backing away until I connect with the rocks behind me and nowhere else to go other than the water. "Look, I have no weapons - nothing. If anything you're more of a danger to me". He insists as I push back the rocks digging into me slightly. "I heard you singing...you have a beautiful voice. I haven't seen a Siren for years..".

I frown. "You've seen one of me before?"

"Not as up close as this, but yeah - I have." He looks at me. "You're beautiful, well, you all are I suppose because that's the point - but you really are..." His eyes meet with mine.

He's quite handsome, dark hair styled perfectly with a silver streak running through a part of the front section - and blue eyes. Seems I have a thing for men with that - perhaps because it reminds me of the ocean. Either way they're still locked with mine. "I...I didn't 'entice' you down here did I?" I now ask, the last thing I need is a group of men with torches and pitchforks emerging from the darkness to slaughter me. "It's not who I am anymore...please, you cannot tell anyo-"

He stops me. "I won't - I promise. If anything I never understood why Sirens are hunted anyway".

"Probably the fact that we preyed on unsuspecting sailors and men in general". I say flatly. But I am ashamed. 

I'm a murderer. I accept that. After I took my very first life I sobbed for days, mother explaining to me on numerous occasions that it's detrimental to our survival. I suppose it doesn't really matter anymore now though. The only thing detrimental is hiding where no one can find us to cut us down.

"You didn't ask for it though did you?" The man now says. "Sorry...I don't know how the Siren thing works - like how you're created. I mean, are there male Sirens?"

"I have heard there are, but have yet to come across one. The sea chooses us, calls to us - mainly on sea crossings. You get enticed by her call and before you know it? You're off the ship and underwater with the option of drowning or pledging yourself to her service. It's really not too hard of a decision to make".

I remember that part at least...at the time it was terrifying, but the transition over within minutes.

I don't know why I'm telling him all of this. Why I trust him, but something inside of me says that I can. He hasn't killed me - yet. But if he tries I suppose that I can fully overpower him. "Do you live in the city?" I now ask, not really wanting to talk about myself anymore.

He shakes his head. "No, I have some family here that I'm staying with, but I'm from one of the outside villages".

"Why are you up so early?" I query.

"I'm not a great sleeper, so I choose to come to somewhere secluded and familiar. I miss it when I'm home". He explains. "Do you come here often?" Then he laughs nervously on realising what he said. "I meant, do you often come down here to get away from everything?"

"Only tonight". I say, "Like you I don't really sleep well".

Not if Steve has anything to do with it.

"Nightmares?" He queries.

"Thankfully not" I say as my body relaxes a little more now. "I just get a little restless. What about you?"

He lets out a small 'ah', and then replies, "nightmares" while looking sheepish. "I know right? Meant to be kids stuff, not for people like us. If anything it's embarrassing".

I shake my head. "Well you can't help it, just like I can't help what I am".

He looks towards the ocean, the first hint of sunlight now peeking in an orange/reddish hue over the horizon. "I should be heading back".

"Me too" I agree, knowing that if Steve wakes and I'm gone then he's going to have questions. "Thank you. For not trying to kill me or anything". Both of us now walking up the beaten cliffside path and then stopping to head our separate ways.

"Not everyone hates your kind. There are sympathisers out there. Remember that". He smiles, eyes now glinting as he does. "Can I at least have your name before we go?"

I shake my head. "That's probably not a good idea..."

He nods to himself. "Yeah, I suppose it isn't...just, take of yourself out there. People are worried about Sirens and yet there's worse things happening".

"Do I get to know your name?" I smile lightly.

A rather wistful look crosses his face. "Eye for an eye - you didn't tell me yours, so I guess we'll just leave here as strangers, but that's probably for best".

I laugh lightly. "Well then, mystery man - thank you".

"Likewise, I have a feeling I'll be sleeping well tonight" He grins, and before I can say anything else, he's heading off towards the city.

I watch him disappear and then look back at the ocean. "I'll be back". I promise in my head, knowing that it can hear, and then make my way back to the palace with the hopes that Steve is still asleep and hasn't noticed my absence.