Disclaimer: I don't own 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea in any way, shape or form. No copyright infringement is intended. This is just for fun.
Pairing: Ned/Kate, Kate/Other (prequel)
Rating: K+
Length: 300
Prompt: crisp, exchange
Siren Song
He'd left her. Succumbed to the lure of the ocean when it tempted him with promises of one last adventure; one final, guiltless fling.
It had been the gravest of errors.
So he'd abandoned the waves. Jumped ship at the first port. Traded all he had for the fruits of the ocean's labour in his great desire to set things right. One tramp steamer, one scallop trawler, and a good pair of shoes later, he was finally back.
Walking down that street again. Heart pounding in his throat. A string of the finest pearls in all the world within his grasp. The jewels of the sea to exchange for her forgiveness. Crisp, pure beauty to offset her fiery passion. His heart and soul held within his hands.
His goal in sight. Spirits raising with each step towards the door. The aching in his feet being swept up into distant memory.
Hand on the latch, his breath pauses. The call on his lips goes unspoken. Carefully planned words lost forever from his mind. Dreams crumbling to nightmare by another's cruel treachery.
For she is not alone. Another man has taken the husband's rightful place, and their song he cannot bear to hear; nor bear to see.
He flees.
Heart shattering and spilling its pain within his breast. Angry tears hidden by the mercy of the cool night rain. Finger's bruising from their grip on love's gift. In despair, he longs to cast the jewels aside, even as passion itself forbids it.
Distantly, he hears the call of the other. Whispering words of faithfulness. Speaking of the ebb and tide that will sustain him. Scent wrapping its fingers around his pain. Calling him to the briney once again.
He surrenders to the siren song. The sea will be his only mistress now.
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