I'm finishing this before i become a real adult dammit (though probably in somewhat smaller chunks)

Daily, chaperoned, swims were becoming more and more strictly enforced. They served two purposes; first to force Lovina out of her little corner of the palace, and second to further force some kind of bond between her and Heracles. To be clear, Lovina didn't mind Heracles in the least; he was kind and minded his own business as much as he could, given the circumstances. She would even go so far as to consider him a friend. He understood that whatever her grandfather wanted was against her wishes and respected that. Lovina didn't want him and he wasn't in the least bit offended because quite frankly, the feeling was mutual. Again, Heracles would certainly regard Lovina as a friend. Any more than that…

Silence had settled between the pair. They usually didn't talk much before they reached the limits of the boundaries Roma had set for Lovina. There, they would begin to chat...but it was painfully obvious Lovina was hiding something. They always came to the same spot; a cool rock in the open sea. Lovina would settle herself down on it and watch the surface. Heracles would do the same and observe, still trying to maintain conversation. After awhile, Lovina would sit up and sit quietly for a moment. Heracles would watch her and feel as if she was on the edge of sharing something important or meaningful with him.

But as always, she would simply state she was ready to go home and allow him to escort her back to her corner. She would would thank him for his time, he would bow politely and leave to report back to Lovina's grandfather until their next outing.

(-)

Ludwig had only been with Antonio a few days, but the discomfort and tension between them had not waned. Antonio of course never blamed Ludwig for the incident; he knew better than anyone that Gilbert and Francis did as they pleased and would not easily be stopped. At this point, Antonio couldn't find it in himself to still be angry with his friends. They had been wrong in treating Lovina in such a way. But truth be told, Antonio knew he would have participated as well, before he had met Lovina. That guilt overwhelmed his anger. And his sadness in not seeing her for over a week overpowered his guilt.

But still, Ludwig was stuck in Antonio's heavy state of sorrow. He tried his best to remain polite and upbeat. But Antonio refused to discuss what had transpired and the air around Ludwig became suffocating. Ludwig of course felt bad for his brother's friend; admittedly, he knew nothing about heartbreak, but could tell what had transpired had devastated Antonio. And he did worry for the hurting man. But Ludwig himself returned to the shore for a fresh start…

So there were no hard feelings when Ludwig left Antonio's humble abode after finding work down by the docks. Antonio had even managed a smile when Ludwig broke the news; it wasn't as enthusiastic as Ludwig knew was standard, but still genuine. Antonio had even arranged a small get together with the local bookkeeper and her brother in town. Antonio made sure Ludwig knew he could ask for any kind of help and that he had some other acquaintances before sending the younger man off.

(-)

After Ludwig left...Antonio was somehow in an even sorrier state. That afternoon, he planted himself on the beach with a few bottles of wine and had nearly finished them all off by early that night. He did find some clarity in those drunken moments; maybe Lovi couldn't see him...maybe she needed to recover, maybe she was having issues with her family (even if he didn't fully understand them). And in that clarity, he made the brilliant decision to ready his dinky, sorry excuse of a rowboat and set sail. Because if she couldn't come to him, then by God, Antonio would come to her.

After stumbling over and putting another half a bottle of wine into his vessel, Antonio could hear footsteps behind him.

"You alright, dear?"

Antonio groaned at the familiar voice behind him. The last thing he needed just before his romantic, albeit inebriated, gesture for his beloved mermaid, was the sight and sound of the most irritating set of eyebrows known to man.

"Fuck off…" he slurred, grabbing some ropes and an oar and tossing them into his boat as well. He swore again when the bottle in the boat shattered.

"I don't think you're in any state for a visit tonight…" Arthur responded with some hesitance. Antonio glanced behind him and frowned, somewhat surprised by what appeared to be genuine concern in the Brit's voice.

"I have to see her…" Antonio said, turning back and struggling to push his boat toward the water. He let out an agitated grunt when it wouldn't budge. " I-I can't...I just have to see her…" he continued before trying again, slightly tripping over his own footing. He brushed Arthur aside when the Brit tried to help and plopped back down onto the sand in defeat, head falling between his knees.

Arthur watched the sorry display, trying his best not to show any outward horror and discomfort. He was accustomed to bickering back and forth with Antonio, not seeing the depressed man before him. He slowly lowered himself next to Antonio and sat beside him. Both remained silent for a moment before Antonio raised his head and looked over at the sea.

"It's been a week," Antonio finally began, eyes never leaving the water. "She...She could've been killed...it was dumb luck that I found her...it was my fault she was hurt in the first place..." Antonio let out a strained, dry laugh and looked at Arthur. "How could all of this have happened? What am I doing?!"

Antonio shook his head and looked back at the water when Arthur couldn't reply quick enough. "This could never have a happy ending," he continued. "And I wish I could say that i want everything to go back to the way it was, before her...but it can't...and I don't want it to…"

Arthur watched Antonio for a moment before reaching into his bag and pulling out a worn, but sturdy book. "This…" Arthur sighed, gaining Antonio's attention, "Is my life's work…"

Arthur opened the book and presented it to Antonio. The Spaniard hesitantly took it and began flipping through with wide eyes. There were multiple maps, charts, illustrations, even chemical formulas, all centered around various creature. Any tale you'd ever heard, from dragons, to fairies, to fabled monsters...all researched and documented.

"People think I'm crazy…" Arthur began, looking toward the sea. "I was starting to think I was crazy too…" Arthur glanced back at Antonio and flipped to the final, incomplete chapter with a small grin.

Mermaids and Other Inhabitants of the Sea

"But if they're real, who's to say they aren't all real?" he finished, gingerly taking the book back from Antonio. Antonio nodded with a sad smile, looking again at the water before him.

"She's real…"

Silence once again settled between the two. After a moment, Arthur cleared his throat and glanced over at his unexpected companion. "You know…" he slowly started. "I'm not sure what exactly happened...but perhaps a third party might help resolve whatever issue-"

"You son of a bitch…" Antonio scoffed and stood as gracefully as he could before glaring at the man still sitting beside him. "I should have known," he laughed dryly, shaking his head. Antonio leaned down toward Arthur and pointed toward town. "Go, and don't come back," he snapped, words still slurred. Antonio didn't look back as he headed toward his home, Arthur scrambling after him.

"Now wait just a moment!" the blond huffed, trudging behind Antonio. "I mean it! Obviously I'd like to meet your little friend for other reasons, but I would also be more than happy to send a message, perhaps? Deliver a gift?"

Antonio stepped into his home and promptly slammed the door behind him, ignoring protests from Arthur on the other side.

"Come now! No need to be cross, I'm only trying to help!"

After receiving no response, Arthur groaned, but retreated. He really did have some good intentions...