Jim

I immediately spin to our attackers, my fists drawn and ready.

It might have been an impressive sight had I not forgotten we were in water and quickly slip under the tide.

Surfacing with urgency, I try to reorient myself to what is happening.

"Jim! Relax, they're my friends!" Melody's strong arm grips my bicep and tugs me out of the fray. I tense for a moment until she lightly squeezes my arm. Carefully treading water, I wait for introductions to the three animals.

The first is a dusty brown- walrus?-, his short tusks gleaming ivory in the morning sun with long whiskers giving the impression of a stately gentleman. The next, an adorable penguin with what I believe was offense on his tiny face. The last was a bright red crab of some sort, blatantly glaring at me in distrust.

I never knew how uncomfortably penetrating a distrustful crustacean's gaze could be. Truly, I could have lived my entire life without the knowledge.

"This is Dash with the tusks. That's Tip the penguin and the little angry guy is Sebastian."

The crab- Sebastian's lip pooches out as he and I stare at each other. Somehow, it was more intimidating than Scroop, the creepy spider thing, had ever been and I shift uncomfortably.

"But, but he's a human!" Yells Tip, "What's he doing in the water? And where are your other mer-"

She grabs his beak, "I was teaching him how to swim. Jim isn't from these parts."

Sebastian finally speaks, the slips and slides of his accent sound native to somewhere else, "Of course he's not! I would have recognized him…"

"Jim, give us a minute," she ushers her friends a few feet away and they squabble in low tones.

I overhear some snatches of conversation, "Guys, knock it off-" "We don't even know da young man, Melohdy!" "I think we should…" "Absolutely not!" "We could show him the…" "…Why don't we all spend… and show him around… Please?" "Oh, Melohdy!" "My parents like him!" "Dey do?" "Yes! Who do you… So we're all agreed then."

I see Melody clap her hands together in finality and allow myself a small smile, trying to seem as innocent as possible as they swim over.

"Alright, I'm going to finish teaching you how to swim and then the five of us are going to show you around the ocean!"

"Great…" I nod, trying to conceal my disappointment at having a group instead of the two of us. Especially since Tip and Sebastian still looked as if they wouldn't mind if I capsized. Dash seemed friendlier until the penguin elbowed him. Sensing the awkward atmosphere, Melody waves her friends a few meters back.

"Now, where were we?" She finishes tying her thick locks off her shoulders into a low ponytail while I stare at her. She might possibly have been one of the prettiest women I had ever met.

"Huh?" I ask intelligently.

She laughs, "The swimming, Jim, what did we do last? I think we were floating before and you seemed pretty comfortable with it so now I'm going to have you put your face underwater until you're comfortable with it, okay?"

I nod and submerge myself into the deeper waters, it was such an odd experience. The noise and bustle of life was muted and the water was calming like I was in suspended animation. I resisted closing my eyes even though the water stung them slightly. It was strange, slow motion world down here but I could see the peace it must have brought Melody. My limbs felt languid and weightless, like being on my ship without the artificial gravity. It was almost as if I became one entity with the water, the soothing rhythm of waves pulsating against my skin. It would be so easy to be lost to these waters, the ripple and-

Melody's hand grabs my bicep and pulls up, her concerned face the first thing I see when I wipe away the liquid from my eyes.

"You okay? I worried you might have been drowning." Her brow bunched as she grips my shoulder.

I gasp for air, not even thinking to come back up.

"...Yeah," Breath, breath, "yeah. That, that was," I search for words, "…Incredible. No wonder you would sneak away from the castle. Thanks for, uh, pulling me back up."

Understanding shone brightly from her eyes, a connection forged between us, "I always thought I was crazy to want to be out here but it feels like my soul out here, it feels like I'm truly whole. Everyone thinks I'm strange for being caught between the land and ocean."

The ocean was this vast, encompassing being, it felt like being connected to the life in her waters. Every single fish, every wave, every plant was a part of me and vice versa.

"I don't think you're strange at all. Thank you, for all of this." Our heads lean near together, enclosed in intimacy. I could tell how personal this was to her and I felt like the luckiest man, getting to see this part of her world. I hear a slight cough in the background from the trio and we both smile shyly.

She laughs and playfully touches my shoulder, "I have a good student. Dash? Would you come over here?"

The Walrus paddles over, eager to join in the fun, "What can I do Melody?"

"We're going to have Jim hang on to you and the two of you are going to take a lap, okay? Jim, just kick your legs and move your arms with your body."

I hesitantly grasp his flipper and we slowly begin to lap around her. Her laughing blue eyes follow us while she shouts out advice every few minutes. The light reflecting from the sun to the waves lit her upper body in a light gold, her joy was so genuine it was nearly palpable. I was truly impressed that I managed to stay above the water on a few occasions.

The ocean was a good match with its natural beauty to my swimming teacher.

…

Melody

Jim had a natural athletic ability and he quickly caught on to my instructions. It also helped that he intently listened and respected my advice. After an hour or so, I decide we can head out of the cove and into the deeper parts of the ocean. After all, he couldn't ask for better guides than the four of us, we knew these waters better than our own limbs.

Occasionally, I would catch Sebastian studying me with an unreadable expression on his face, but I figured the little crab would tell me whatever was whirring in his mind on his schedule.

Tip and Dash were warming up to Jim though, the three of them splashing and playing in the water as we went to where Tip wanted to go first. Jim was regaling them with all the kinds of aliens he had seen on his travels while Dash slapped a flipper over his head in fear and Tip puffing his chest.

I chuckle at Jim's face when he gets swarmed with young penguin's, this was the usual area they played in. The little black and white birds flipped and clumsily flopped through the water, their acrobatics untrained yet desperately attempting while their mothers stood watch. They swam between his legs and circled his forearms while surprised shouts and squawks echo out. Once the little ones are ushered back to their mothers, Dash decides that Jim needs to see a whale.

We find a friendly one after a half hour and Jim is struck by the massive size of the creature, the elegance in how it moved for something so unbelievably large. I take his hand and place it on the smooth, rubbery back of the animal as we bask atop it for a few minutes. The whale is receptive to my suggestion to breaching to show my bodyguard some waves.

Tip and Dash finally say their good byes, stating they were exhausted but that I could bring Jim anytime to visit again. I'm pleased at how well they hit it off, Jim at ease and fully interested in both their lives. Tip and Dash being fascinated by Jim's stories and happy to have a new friend. The real test would be Sebastian, he was suspiciously quiet the whole outing.

As we were swimming back, we happened upon Scully and Flounder, but they were unfortunately busy and couldn't stay. I wondered with amusement if Jim thought I was strange for having a seagull and a fish for friends. It didn't stop him from being unfailingly polite and charming despite how strange Scully was.

When we're halfway home, Jim spots a group of dolphins and they immediately beckon us over when they recognize me and Sebastian. They take turns guiding Jim around the water while he hangs on for dear life.

While the revelry is happening, Sebastian sidles up to me.

"Well?"

"I said nothing Melohdy."

I smirk, "Trust me, you were about to."

He harrumphs, crossing his pincers on his body before finally saying, "You like him, child?"

"Yeah, he's a great person." I smile when Jim waves until he's nudged by a dolphin.

Sebastian's tiny face is indecipherable while he examines my words.

"What?" I say with a giggle at his pooched lip, "Why are you asking?"

"I've neva seen you like dis, you blushed as bright as my shell da whole day."

"I did not!"

He nods sagely and I resist rolling my eyes, "Mhmm. He's a nice young man, quite accomplished. When you and your moda were young, rebellious women-"

I pinch the bridge of my nose with a muttered sigh, "Oh, great. Here we go-"

He raises his voice, ignoring my dramatics, "-WHEN you and your moda were younger, I did my best to look out for da both of you. Now, she's grown wit a daughta of her own and a family. And I will admit I am older now too, no longer able to keep up wit my young charges as well as I used to. Melohdy, you've become an amazing woman who has an incredible future before you. All I'm going to say is be careful wit your heart."

Embarrassed by his loving words and how he's discreetly wiping little tears away, I grip the back of my neck.

"Sebastian, absolutely nothing-"

He raises an eyebrow and I amend my statement, "Okay, almost nothing is going on between us."

"I'm not done. He's a fine man, a captain at dis young age? Impressive indeed. And I trust your judgement."

I pop a hip, "Oh really? When have you ever trusted the judgement of your charges?"

"When they earn it." His claw rests upon my shoulder with a proud touch.

I wanted to say more but Jim swam to us, "Hey, did you see those tricks they were- oh, am I interrupting?"

Sebastian shakes his head, "Not at tall, I was headed home, much to plan for my ensemble."

We watch him go and Jim turns to me, his arms circling to keep himself afloat, "You alright?"

I wait until Sebastian is out of sight, "Yeah. I hate to ask, but are you tired?"

He shrugs, rotating his shoulders, "No, my body is a little sore, otherwise, I'm feeling good."

"Good, because I have one last surprise to show you."

He grins crookedly, "Lead on."

A/N: Hey everyone, sorry for such a long wait. Hope you enjoyed J