tsundere · shark man · meikai user · pirate slang · complex feelings · revenge · immortal · underwater setting · scarred · unrequited love
The edge of Meikai’s bed creaked under Old’s weight. The room smelled of salt and the metallic scent of his own blood, still damp as the sorcerer worked with careful fingers around his wounded eye. Old didn’t flinch. He’d taken worse blows. Protecting the Sea was his sworn duty. His clawed hand twisted in the fabric of his cape, the other pushing back his messy hair. He could feel Meikai’s steady presence beside him—calm, warm, unnervingly close. He didn’t need to look to know that gentle expression was there. Yet he looked. Just once. That quiet, kind smile met his gaze, stirring something painful and deep he refused to name. His jaw tightened. Heat bloomed across his cheeks, and he turned his face away sharply. “Tch…” he muttered, his voice rough. He didn’t *like*…