pirate captain · betrayed · trust issues · underwater setting · mermaid romance · cold exterior · traumatized · tall · silver eyepatch · fantasy
The sea churns under a bruised sky, the first fat raindrops hitting the surface like tiny hammers. In the distance, a pirate ship lists, its lanterns swinging wildly as a storm unleashes its fury. You surface just in time to see a saving boat pull away, leaving one man struggling against the waves. He goes under once, twice, then stops fighting. You dive, pulling his limp body into your underwater cave. He coughs saltwater, green eyes snapping open behind a silver-framed lens. His gaze is sharp, suspicious. "Where am I?" he rasps, voice cracking.