48

Everyday Magic

Captain Oga held on the plank as he floated in the ocean. His crew had been captured, his ship raided and destroyed, but he had a good feeling he wasn't going to die today. The sun beat down mercilessly, and he was thoroughly parched, but he'd be okay. There was an island close by, though it might take a couple days to float there, he was floating in the right direction.

Oga peeked at the blinding sun. It'd be okay to fall asleep, right? He'd wake up on shore in no time. Adjusting the plank to hook into his shredded jacket, so he wouldn't fall into the water and drown while asleep, Oga closed his eyes and hoped that he was right about not dying so soon.

"You moron! Even I know humans shouldn't go to sleep at a time like this!"

"Silver Fish? Is that you?"

"My name is Furuichi, Captain Idiot."

Oga smiled, he wasn't relieved because he knew the merman would show up to his aid eventually. Always did. "I have always known you as Silver Fish since we were young boys. Besides you told me you liked it when I called you that."

Furuichi's face and neck began turning pink. The merman with the light grey tail grumbled about how they were children back then and that they were adults now and things change when beings mature, but Oga began to tune the lovely voice out. The last thing the Captain remembered was seeing Furuichi's concerned face hovering over his own. The sleepy Captain thought about the one time the merman allowed him to kiss those soft, supple lips.

"Ugh, we're here. Finally. You always get heavier when I have to pull you onto the shore."

Oga hummed. There wasn't a lot of energy left in his body this time. He really hoped this island was inhabited by nice people, or Captain Oga considered going away with Furuichi forever, to the bottom of the treacherous depths of the sea. Not that that was a bad idea except that Oga would need gills for lungs if he were to survive. However, a lifetime with the cold merman was a dream that felt so far out of reach. "There's someone coming. I must leave now, just promise me you'll stop being an imbecile that needs saving."

"You know that is not a promise I can heartily keep. You'd miss me."

The merman disappeared with a flick of his tail and a scowl and another blush on his face. Oga smiled again. Guess he did have some energy stored away after all.