MLQC Oneshots

A Siren's Life is Lonely (Victor)

Happy Mermay, as late as this may be. I can't draw unfortunately, so this is my best contribution.

Today I offer you a mermaid!AU. Tomorrow? who knows

The salty waves of the familiar pier almost brings a smile to the stoic Princes' face. Almost. He walks through the dock, ignoring the early morning sailors' heads' turning as he passes.

'Time, Goldman.' He commands, keeping his cold forward gaze.

'Right on schedule, your highness.' says the hurried advisor. ' All is accounted for. All except...'

'I'm here! Don't worry, I'm here.' A younger sailor, perhaps the brightest on the ocean, stands before them.

'Kiro.' Sighs Victor. 'Late again, I see.'

'Greatest apologies, your highness. I was just saying goodbye. As you do.' He answers casually.

'Right. Goldman, do a last check on board.' 'Yes, your highness.'

Leaving him and Kiro at the base of the ship.

'Another mistake and you could be let go' Victor warns. 'You do know that don't you, Kiro?'

'Come on, Prince Victor! You could never lose your favorite sailor.' He smiles. 'Would you believe I did such to get a moment with you?

'If this is another one of your stories-'

'I heard that there were mermaids found on the water.' 'Kiro.'

'Not even mermaids, but sirens! The kind that lure you into the water and drown you with their songs.'

'Only a child would fall for a story as foolish as that.'

'Yeah, well, I'm saying this because I care. Watch out, your highness. You would be their most valuable target.' He winks as he steps onto the boat.

-

Another regular day passes in the sea. You do your usual rounds, swimming quite close to the ocean's surface as you happily watch a school of bright yellow fish pass by. A sea turtle pushes through the group, you laugh and start to follow. The ocean is peaceful, full of life with wide arrays of plants and animals. But none like yourself.

Your tail is alien to these animals. They share no joy as you attempt to interact. They, too, move around you and you find yourself alone, like every night that has and will pass.

About to settle on a soft spot of sand on the oceans floor, you suddenly hear a voice. A familiar woman's voice. A siren, no doubt, hunting for food. The song is almost comforting, that is until you see the shadow. A large ship creeping closer and closer.

You move quickly, the song is your path as you reach the surface. A woman, her dark blue tail shining in the moonlight, sits atop a rock calling towards the boat. You reach her, shaking her arm, grabbing her attention.

'What are you- MC? Leave me be, I'm trying to do something here.'

You shake your head hastily. Only mummers can be heard from your tightly sewn lips.

'Look, just because you refuse to speak, doesn't mean the rest of us will follow.'

You shake your head, making an X with your arms.

'If you have nothing better to say leave!'

The ship had grown ever closer. Knowing you wouldn't give in she dives into the water. Before following, you turn towards the shadow, only noticing one thing out of the large sailed ship that stood before you now. There was a man and he was about to jump.

You couldn't cry out to warn him, so you do the only thing you can. Swimming quickly towards the base of the boat, you catch him as he falls.

-

His mind returns to him as his body breaks the calm ocean's surface. The frigid water consumes him completely. Victor was never a bad swimmer, but the sudden impact catches him off guard. He feels it's his end as he sinks lower, but someone catches his body in the water. They're fast, almost instantly carrying him above the surface. His lungs burn as he takes in a heaving breath. The person keeps moving, eventually ending at a flat rock sticking out of the water.

His vision clears. The person who saved her looked hurriedly behind her. She's looking towards the ship moving closer and closer their way.

'Thank you,' says Victor through coughs.

She looks back at him. She showed surprise and fear in her eyes. It was the only thing he could learn about her, for her mouth was sealed shut. All she could manage were panicked murmurs. She points towards the ship and cups her face in a 'yell.'

'I need to call them.'

She nods hastily. Before leaving, Victor reaches for her hand.

A siren, a beast living in the sea's depth, but this one was so small. The fear never left her eye. Her hand slips from his grip and she dives into the ocean.

-

Recovering on the main deck, a blanket draped generously over his shoulders by his first mate, Victor looks out on the ocean as their ship sails ever forward. The sun was rising as they approached the mainland, but his eyes were elsewhere. On the ocean, deep blue, reflecting the still darkened sky.

'So,' Kiro starts again. 'Will you tell me how you fell, your majesty?'

On the waves he sees movement. A head, looking out from their safe hiding place underwater. Fearful, yet curious.

'I fell. Further questions are unnecessary.'