Adrien Noir had had a very long day. From getting captured by a rival crew, to then running into a naval ship, and then being rescued by a mermaid.

Adrien could hardly believe that he was still alive— but there were more pressing matters. He fought against the shellshocked bleariness that had gripped him ever since he plummeted from his ship into the freezing waters below. Strong arms pulled him into the boat and he kept hold of her hand. Despite his efforts he nearly collapsed onto the floor; he was so weary and cold. He gritted his teeth. The crew members in the rowboat dragged her aboard as well. She did not resist them, going limp and sagging once she was on a solid surface.

He looked up. Nino and Luka were there in the boat. Good. They were always the most understanding of his crazy ideas. Their greetings cut off as they realized just what they'd pulled onto the rowboat along with their captain. The sound of weapons being drawn spooked the mermaid and she hissed, dropping Adrien's hand as she pressed herself against the furthest edge of the boat. He angled his body reflexively, shielding hers with his own.

He didn't think before he threw his hand out at his friends. "Stop," He ordered. His voice and his arm quivered but he held firm. "Put those down."

"Adrien— she's a bloody merm—"

"I'm aware Nino." Adrien barked, patience thin. A tense moment passed.

"Yes... Captain." Nino said reluctantly, lowering his revolver. Luka had already sheathed his scabbard.

Soft fingers wove between his and he gathered his strength.

"She saved my life and no one is to lay a finger on her." Adrien spoke forcefully. He did not doubt his first and second mate, but the idea that anyone might hurt her sent panic reeling through him. He wasn't sure why it frightened him so badly, or why he was so strongly compelled to protect her, but he felt it within his very core.

"Of course." Luka said, resting a hand on Nino's shoulder. They were both extremely loyal but Luka was the much calmer of the two. It would take more than a mermaid to surprise him.

Wordlessly, Nino gave the captain a thick cloak. Adrien nodded at the two, and they passed the signal on to the rest of the crew to pull them up. Luka handed him a flask and Adrien took a swig gratefully. The weak, but fiery rum burned down his throat and helped to wake him.

Adrien turned back to his rescuer, giving her a soft smile. "It's going to be okay," He said. She smiled back, eyes shy. He beckoned her closer, and she scooted to him. As soon as she was close a hollowness in his chest filled. She nestled into his embrace, trembling, and he draped the large cloak around them. She clung tightly to him, fingers knotted into his shirt. He cradled her close as the small boat was lifted upwards.

Nino and Luka promptly found their seats, it was foolish to stand when the boat was being raised up like this.

"For now we keep this a secret." Adrien did not want to explain his mermaid encounter to the crew tonight. He was weary, cold, and wet. He planned to retreat to his quarters, figure out how to accommodate Marinette, and sleep for a long time.

As he held her, Adrien wondered what she was thinking. He knew the stories of vicious sirens— hell, he'd seen one tear a man to shreds during his time in the royal navy. Why was this mermaid different? Did it matter? He supposed that it didn't matter why she was different it just mattered that she was.

"I want Chloe down to my quarters as soon as possible, I'll need her help." He hoped that she'd be able to help him figure out what his new companion could wear.

Nino nodded.

When the boat was lifted into their view, the crew cheered to see their captain, unperturbed by the presence of a refugee. Adrien was known for taking in many a stray.

"Back from the brink again, I see." Alix was closest, hanging from a rope with a wide grin.

"I'm not surprised," Max pressed through the throng holding his maps. "Shall we set a course sir?"

"Give the man a moment to breathe, Max." Nino said, stepping forward. "All of you lot! Get back to your posts! You can congratulate the captain on his ridiculous luck after he's rested."

Adrien flashed him a grateful smile and Luka helped him slip through the crowd and reach the door to his quarters. The mermaid was quiet as he carried her through the front room. It was difficult work— he was exhausted— but the idea of letting anyone else carry her made him feel oddly ill. And it didn't look like she would be willing to let him go any time soon. Her fingers were still knotted in his shirt and she cowered against him.

"No one will hurt you," He promised. "I'll protect you."

She peered up at him with bluebell eyes, the most beautiful that he had ever seen. He could hardly believe that such a creature existed, let alone was in his arms.

Luka opened the door to his main room for them. Adrien stopped for a moment, unsure of what to do. He hadn't really thought this out. As if in answer to his thoughts, the mermaid pointed at the wooden tub in the corner of the room.

"We can have someone draw up seawater," Adrien said, frowning as he set her gently into the tub. Even though she was tiny, she had to sit on her curled up tail.

"I'm sorry about the tight fit." He wished that he could provide better accommodations for her.

She just shook her head, smiling softly. "It's alright."

He rested his hand on the side of the tub, still grimacing. Then he paused. She had closed her eyes, a look of deep concentration on her face.

"Are you alr—" Adrien's voice cut off as the mermaid's scales sloughed off, revealing a pair of soft, pale legs. The once empty tub was now containing a sludge of filmy seawater and shimmering pink scales.

She had legs. Human legs.

Weak, uncoordinated legs.

His eyes bulged.

She tried to rise, but her legs trembled and she fell over. Adrien lurched forward to catch her and he pulled her upwards into his arms. Her deep blue eyes went wide with wonder as their gazes met. Her hand rose to softly rest on his cheek. It was then, as she was pressed flush into him, that he realized she was now completely lacking clothing. And, he also realized, she didn't seem to understand that fact.

There was a soft cough from the door and he glanced over. Luka was pointedly looking away with a neutral expression, coughing into his hand. Adrien's cheeks reddened and he quickly reached for the discarded cloak and helped her stand, draping the dark fabric over her body. Her eyebrows furrowed, but she said nothing.

It was at that moment that Chloe chose to burst into the room, Nino on her heels. He carried a small pile of garments, obviously at Chloe's command.

"I thought you said she was a mermaid, Nino." Chloe huffed, pivoting on her heel to glare at the first mate.

"She was!" He balked. Chloe turned back to Adrien, fire in her eyes.

"It's true, Chloe. She had a tail until a moment ago." Adrien said, helping his not quite-mermaid to sit on the edge of his large king sized bed. "The scales are in the tub if you'd like proof."

Chloe sniffed, eying the girl. She huffed again. "Well?" She demanded, looking back at the men. Adrien raised his eyebrow, mystified.

"Out with you!" She exclaimed.

He flushed again and the other men filed out, but he lingered. "This is Chloe," He said rather belatedly. "She's going to help you find something to wear." The little mermaid frowned a little, but nodded.

"Adrien," Chloe said, glaring.

He quickly slipped out the door and shut it behind him. His first and second mates had left, hopefully to do something useful, so Adrien sat down in his armchair. His exhaustion returned in force and he slumped back. He could hardly believe everything that had happened in the past hour.

He rested his head in his hands, trying to keep the image of the mermaid who was no longer a mermaid out of his mind. But it was of little use. Her soft, creamy skin and beautiful, supple curves were seared into his mind.

He just had to pray that soon he could sleep and rest his mind. Perhaps then he could get that bloody image out of his head.

~ o 0 o ~

Adrien jolted awake in his chair when the door to his bedchamber opened. He had dozed off for a moment. Chloe entered, carrying a few garments with her. They were probably things that hadn't fit. She nodded to him, and closed the outer door behind her.

Adrien stepped through the doorway into the chamber. The mermaid sat at the edge of the bed, watching the fire dancing in a nearby lantern. She was wearing a modest pink nightgown. Her dark hair had been freed of its pearls and intricate styling. She turned, meeting his gaze.

"You look beautiful," He said.

Her cheeks reddened and she looked away, smiling bashfully. "Thank you. And thank you for your hospitality," She said.

"It's the least I could do for you. You saved my life." He sat on the other corner of the bed. "What's mine is yours."

She looked back up and nodded. Their eyes met and he felt lost at sea.

"What's your name?" He asked, realizing that he didn't yet know it.

"Marinette," She twisted her fingers together, eyes wide and soft.

"Marinette," Adrien repeated, a smile on his lips.

Marinette hesitated, but she stood on shaky legs and walked a few steps toward him. He met her halfway, arms reflexively winding around her as she nestled into his embrace. As soon as he was holding her an ache in his chest was soothed away, and he closed his eyes.

"You feel it too," He guessed. He felt her nod. "I don't understand it," He admitted.

There was a moment of silence before she spoke. "Our souls are meant to be one," She said simply.

Adrien thought over her response. If he had learned anything during his time on the seas it was that every legend had a kernel of truth. And if mermaids existed, was it really so far a stretch to believe in soul mates?

"You said they'd come for you." Adrien said. "The other mermaids." He pulled back to meet her eyes.

"Yes," Marinette sighed. She hesitated before continuing. "It is very shameful to fail the test. Mers are expected to be fierce. I should have been able to return with a prize easily. If they claim I was killed by a shark or other sea creature it would look like I was weak. If they claim a human killed me than I was an utter embarrassment. However, if they knew the truth they would call me a traitor."

"For failing?"

"I didn't just fail." Marinette looked away. "I've turned my back on my sisters… On the ocean. On everything. I didn't just fail to kill a human, I saved one."

Adrien took one of her hands in his own and gently squeezed it. He understood disappointing one's family to the point of getting disowned. He was fairly certain that if he showed up at his childhood home his father would kill him. After all, he'd tried before.

"My old life is dead now." Marinette said, looking thoughtful.

"I'm sorry." The grief he felt on her behalf was palpable. The strange, intense feelings that were rushing through him were unlike anything he had ever experienced. He did not love her— he hardly even knew her— but he knew that he could come to adore her with time. And he also knew that he'd do anything she asked him to, even die.

"I am with you now," She said. And then she smiled. Her eyes were drooping, and her posture was tired, but her beauty still hit him like canonfire. He couldn't help but smile back.

"Are you tired?" He asked. She nodded.

"It's so strange what humans sleep in," Marinette gestured to the bed. "Strange but nice."

"And what did you use to sleep?" He raised an eyebrow.

"I would wrap myself in kelp, so the currents couldn't pull me away from home." She shrugged. "I've never felt something so soft," She sat back down on the bed, eyes going wide with wonder as she sunk into the feather mattress.

There were not many fineries that Adrien still bothered with. He didn't care for many frivolous things, and he was limited to watch the weight of the things that he did want on board. To keep the ship fast, he didn't allow anyone on the crew— including himself— anything inordinately heavy. There were a few fine things that he did appreciate, however. Lucky for him, a simple frame and a goose down mattress weren't too heavy to indulge in.

"Not all humans sleep in beds this soft. Many don't have the money. Er— you do have money where you come from, don't you?" Adrien frowned, wondering how to explain currency quickly. He was ready to rest.

Marinette let out a soft laugh. "Yes." She said, mirth shining in her eyes.

"Good," Adrien yawned. "I'm much too tired to explain the finer points of commerce." And then he paused. "How is it—" he eyed her. "That we speak the same language?"

She smiled. "Magic."