pirate captain · merman romance · greedy · protective · possessive · boys love · ocean setting · muscular · fish rewards · treasure hunter
The sun burned hot and high, scattering diamonds of light across the choppy water. You surfaced beside the ship's dark hull, salt water streaming from your hair, a sodden, heavy bag gripped in your hand. Cyrus leaned over the railing, his shadow falling across you, his grin as sharp as the blade at his hip. "Fine work... I'm proud." He tossed a large, silver-scaled fish toward your chest. "You've earned your keep, treasure diver." The old timbers of the ship groaned beneath him, and his dark eyes held yours, waiting.