Beyond The Sea [Hankcon / Hank x Connor AU]

ūnus; things left unsaid

He wasn't exactly like the others, but he knew that. He was an outcast in the pod, but his sisters still loved him. He had a deep curiosity for the world, beyond the sea... but it was never possible.

"---You have to be careful around these parts, Connor. I've warned you of this!"

The sun was setting across the bay as he was, as always, being lectured by his mother. It'd become second nature, in his whole 19 years. "Mother, I understand. I'm always careful, you know that." He responded with a cheeky smile which wasn't reciprocated. "Last night... Did everything go as planned?" He asked curiously, and noticed some sisters had joined him, some on the rocks, others just at the surface.

"It went very well." His mother, Vanora, spoke with a smile on her face. The evening sun, though dim, lit it up even more. "However, he was more... enthusiastic, this month. I think I might know why that is, though." She explained, getting similar reactions from her audience. "---He gave me something, for you, Connor." She added, and her son had a confused, yet intrigued expression on his face. With a nod, he ducked underwater again, and followed her to the cove.

"---He reminded me, Connor, of a big anniversary coming up." Vanora turned to him once inside, and was looked back at. "You know you're not like my girls. You're part human, and your father... Has never forgotten that." She smiled, handing him what she'd been given. He looked down at it, a photo-frame, of his father and himself... a child.

"You spent the first 5 years of your life on land, with your father. And with me, of course. But... I belong to the sea, and we agreed... You'd be better with me. But tomorrow, you turn 20... And, I think it's time you returned to the land." She explained softly, and sounded like she was holding back emotion. Connor glanced up at her slowly, not really knowing what to say. "Are you banishing me from the pod? Because I'm 'part human'? Or, is it because I'm not female, like the rest of your girls?" He asked, Vanora shaking her head.

"No, Connor. It isn't like that." She sighed quietly. "I love you, but you've spent your life in the sea with us for such a long time... Your father has not seen you first joined us. It's not fair." She reminded him, but her son was defensive about the situation. "I don't want to go on land. I don't like it, and the people do not like our kind. I would be tortured upon sight." He folded his arms and had a scowl across his face.

"Don't look at me like that, Connor. You're an adult tomorrow, at least act like one until then. I'm putting a lot of faith into you. You know you're always welcome here if you want to ever return." Vanora smiled, caressing her son's cheek gently. "No, I'm not. Why? Because I'm not leaving. You're not dragging anyone else in here and kicking them out, so why are you doing it to me?" Connor shrugged her off, staring coldly at his mother.

"Connor... You know why! You're special, and you have human connections... No one else in the pod has that, and they would be jumping at the opportunity if they could. You're being incredibly selfish and childish about this." Vanora stared back, her own arms now folded. "Right, I'm 'special'. Thanks a lot," Her son sighed, shaking his head before disappearing underwater again.

He'd always been defensive about humans. He knew that they believed mermaids (and, in his case, mermen) didn't exist, and were violent towards change and others who were different. The human society, to him, was a toxic one. He didn't want to ever go there, but something about the humans always intrigued him. He'd gone to his favourite spot in this area, a rocky part off the coast of the beach. He wasn't sure what the beach was called, if it even had a name, but liked people-watching... Families, friends and couples, soaking up the sun, and enjoying themselves... But no one was there right now, just the occasional runner, and to his right...

A boat.

He'd seen many of those before, but never one at this hour, or one that looked like that.

He stayed sat on the rocks, gazing at the sight on the water. The boat itself had spotlights on it, and some were shining down over the surface of the sea. He titled his head in confusion. Were they divers?

He thought about getting out of sight, but something kept him there... his childlike curiosity. He then saw red and blue flashes, and his eyes widened. He knew what was going on now, but yet, he still remained. He didn't move, but just stared... until it was too late. A spotlight had caught the rocks, and in turn, himself, sitting there. He saw a face--a human--looking back at him, and without a second thought, escaped underwater, and swam for his life.

"---Hey, Connor! Thanks for knocking my tail!" He heard a voice when he'd resurfaced, seeing one of his sisters, Rima. "---Where is my mother?" He asked, and Rima just shrugged, continuing to brush her hair. "She said she'd be back soon, but that was a little while ago." She replied, not sounding too enthusiastic. Vanora had returned shortly after, and was surprised to see her son in the cove again.

"Why do you look so frightened?" She questioned, noticing instantly. He hesitated, not knowing how exactly to put it into words. He knew the consequences, and he knew he'd put everyone at risk. He couldn't lie about this.

"---I was at some rocks, taking some time to myself to think... And---" He cut himself off as his mother raised a hand. He swallowed hard, panicking inside. "---Please do not tell me what I think you're going to say." She spoke in a low voice, but he knew then and there... She knew.

"I---I got spotted. By a human. Only for a second, but---I got out of there as soon as I could. I'm so sorry, I know the risks, but---" He got cut off again. "Do you even know how much danger you have put us in, Connor? I have warned you! You have to be careful!" Vanora had raised her voice drastically, and it'd grabbed the attention of some other mermaids. He now had all eyes on him... Judging, disappointed eyes. "We need to leave. Effective immediately." Vanora sighed, looking incredibly worried. "---I know you are my son, but... I cannot stand for this. You're banished from the pod." She stared at her son, now expressionless.

He knew it was coming, but it still hit him like a slap across the face. "Mother---No, please... I know I deserve it, but... Please don't do this." He begged her, but she wasn't having it. "I have made my decision, Connor. You need to go." She replied, and he watched her duck underwater, leaving him in the cove, and for the rest of his life.

He'd always been an outcast in comparison, but now, felt it even more so. He'd now come to the realisation that his only option was to go on land, and find whoever his father was. He remembered him vaguely, but that was over 10 years ago. It reassured him, at least, that he was wanted. Wanted by someone, an essential stranger.

Another human was on his mind, however. The man from the boat. Had he seen all of him? Did he see his tail? He closed his eyes and put the thought to the back of his mind. He knew, as of tomorrow, he had to grow a pair... of legs, that was... and try and live life as a full human.

He knew it was a lot easier said than done... But what other choice did he have?