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talkfastromance4 · 4 years ago

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King-- Luke Hemmings oneshot (mafia!au)

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

Copyright talkfastromance4 © All works is intellectual property of the author. All rights reserved. Any redistribution or reproduction or any part or all contents in any form is prohibited. You may not, without written expression and consent from the author, distribute works amongst other social media platforms

Word count: 2.1k

Warnings: mentions of blood and violence, death, smut

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• • • •

It’s been a long night of keeping your eyes peeled for any adversaries attempting to target your Boss, Luke Hemmings. He’s the notorious leader of the Hemmings mafia, has numerous bounties from other mobs and gangs but he’s untouchable. He’s well protected and with you now as his consigliere, you make sure your Boss is safe.

You’ve reached this rank at an exponential rate compared to the other associates. You’ve heard the rumors whispered among them about how you’ve slept your way to the top, but you were born into this lifestyle because your parents were one of the highest ranked associates. Thrown in when they were killed by another notorious mafia family, the Romans, you were well taken care of.

You exceeded the training, wore the best clothes, excelled at the most prestigious schools and now you’ve earned your way to the top. Well, second to the top, but still. Your skill, your wits and your charm is what brought you there, not provocativeness.

You’re also no fool because Luke Hemmings is beyond handsome. He always wears the most suave suits, the shiniest boots with his nails freshly manicured or covered in black polish--his signature color--and his hair perfectly curled. He’s nicknamed Lion because of those golden curls and the motto of the family is “life’s a jungle, and the lion is king.”

Luke lives by that motto proudly. He’s truly a king.

While you’re walking the perimeter of the ballroom, eying anyone who appears suspicious, you catch your boss’s eyes. Just like the lion, his eyes are always fixated on you, watching your every move, anticipating your actions. At first it intimidated you because you thought you were the object of his scrutiny, but one night while you were exchanging the batteries in your earpiece in his office, Luke gave you praise.

“I’ve heard the whispers as well. You’ve earned this spot.”

“Yes sir,” you said. When he didn’t reply you looked up and jumped a little at how close he was to you, so close in fact, that you could see how blue his eyes were.

“I mean it,” he said earnestly, voice soft. He always spoke so smoothly with an air of sophistication and authority while he dealt with informants. His change in tone surprised you. “Your parents were top notch at their jobs and you aren’t any different. Don’t let them knock you down a peg, you’re the princess of this family. We’ll always take care of you.”

“Th-thank you, sir,” you nodded then gulped. You’d never been that close to him before, so close in fact that you could smell his cologne. Smooth and crisp just like him.

“None of this ‘sir’ nonsense,” he smirked, “you’re my second, call me Luke.”

That was nearly ten months ago, and every trip you went on with Luke tempted you even further. Yes, you’re his right hand, but you’re also his security. You took down the enemy when necessary, the first kill you had done left you a little shaken.

You and Luke were in Italy, meeting with an associate when one of them went rogue and tried to attack Luke across the mahogany table where straps of money were placed in strategic rows. Without a moment’s hesitation, you whipped your gun out and fired. The man slumped on the table, his death staining the money.

You stared at his body, saw the life still lingering in the lights of his eyes when Luke yanked you out of the room with Ashton, another guard. Your ears were ringing and somehow you still went through the motions for an instance like this that you were trained for. You moved in a daze and it wasn’t until you were safely on the plane that Luke sat in front of you.

“Your first kill always takes you by surprise,” he said in that same soft voice he used in his office. “Thank you for acting so quickly, Y/N, you have my utmost gratitude and respect. When we get back, I’m giving you a few days off. A limo will be at your door with your own security and go wherever and do whatever you please, all right?”

You could only nod because you were still so shaken, both from the kill and from the kindness Luke showed you.

The king has never shown his soft side before.

You’re positioned at the bar, eyes constantly scanning the room when you feel a body stand next to you. Fingers touch your bare shoulder as a slimy voice says, “can I buy the pretty damsel a drink?”

With quick precision, you twist the man’s wrist against his back, pushing his front against the bar. He groans in pain and you tug on his wrist so he feels the strain in his muscles.

“I’m not a damsel and I’m not interested. Get out of my sight,” you hiss then shove him away from you. Your eyes move immediately to Luke in case the drunken imbecile was supposed to be a distraction.

To your relief, Luke is still perched near the head table. To your dismay and irritation, a flock of women surround him. He catches your gaze then gives you a slow nod, his eyes sliding to the retreating drunkard you grabbed. You nod back stiffly, then continue your walk around the room.

Your identity and role within the family is well known amongst the other families and Luke likes to keep you close. The party ensues without a hitch and Luke makes the deal he’s been trying to make for months. Smooth sailing in the king’s jungle tonight.

As always, you accompany him to his car to head back to his mansion where you have your own wing to live in. You’re confused when you don’t see Robert, his driver.

“What--?”

You’re pushed against the side of his car gasping as Luke’s hands grasp your waist as you gasp at the sudden movement. He’s very much in your space, his body pressed to yours and his cologne invading your senses.

“So this is what you look like when your guard is down,” he hums cocking his head to the side.

Your heart is thundering inside your chest, aware of every inch of his body being pressed to yours. Your cheeks are hot and in between your legs is even hotter.

“I can’t have my guard down,” you mutter, eyes fixated on his lips as his tongue darts out, then you move to his eyes.

Then he’s stroking your cheek with the backs of his fingers, his knee pushes apart your thighs and his hand on your waist tightens. Your body is electric at being this close to him, your senses in hyperdrive at every touch.

“I want you to have your guard down with me, lovie,” he says.

“Why?” you blurt and he smirks. His fingers on your cheek thread into your hair, tugging slightly.

“You really have no idea what you do to me, do you?”

Embarrassed and not sure what to do, you lower your gaze to the chain around his neck. Luke is quick to tilt your head back up so you’re staring into his piercing blue eyes, his fingers tight in your hair.

“Eyes on me, lovie,” he says softly leaning close. His eyes flicker between your lips and your eyes; you feel like you’re about to pass out. “Can I kiss you?”

You mouth a yes and then his lips are on yours. You melt into his kiss willingly, your fingers finding home in his oh so soft curls, curls you’ve been aching to touch. He pulls you closer, slips his tongue in your mouth and you moan at the contact. All too quickly, he stops kissing you and you’re filled with more embarrassment.

You shouldn’t have let this happen. It shouldn’t happen because of your rank and the ties you have. You’re his security and confidant, nothing more, nothing less and he probably realized this. Luke pulls you away from the car then surprises you by opening it.

“Get in,” he commands. What the boss says, you do. Luke climbs in after you, the snap of the door echoes in the backseat and then he’s pulling you onto his lap.

Your knees are in an awkward position so you adjust yourself until you’re sitting comfortably on top of him, it makes Luke groan. His arms snake around your lower back pulling you flush against him and you sigh when his lips are on your neck.

“Either you really have no idea what you do to me,” he mumbles on your skin, “or you’re a really good actress.” His teeth puncture your flesh and you let out a gasp, it leaves your body tingling.

“I...I don’t know what you mean,” you gasp when his mouth moves to your left breast. He sucks on the skin, his tongue roaming over his bite.

“Shall I see what I do to you?”

Then you feel his fingers move down your thigh and in between your legs. Your dress is bunched up to your hips so he has easy access to your core, the pads of his fingers touch the wet spot on your panties. Your body jerks at his touch as he continues to rub your clit over your panties.

You curl your fingers into his hair letting him do whatever he wants to you. Your hips move with his fingers then he pushes aside the fabric and plunges his fingers into you. The squeal escapes you and he hums in response.

“So pretty for me, lovie,” he sighs and resumes the assault with his lips on your neck. “Mm, so warm.”

His ministrations of his fingers scissoring in and out of you while his thumb is pressing on your clit has you moaning atop him. You’re sure this is all a dream but when you come, you’re still awake and you want more.

Breathing heavily, you gaze into his eyes while you undo his belt and pants. Luke’s eyebrows raise but he doesn’t stop you, instead he helps you by lifting his hips so his long, hard dick springs free. You bite your lip at the sight.

“Panties off, lovie,” he commands. What the boss says, you do.

You join your hands behind his neck when you climb on top of him again. Luke slaps the tip of his dick against your opening and you’re aching to feel him inside you.

“Please,” you beg quietly, rotating your hips.

“Please who?” he taunts, teasing you by pushing his tip in you slightly.

“Please Luke!” you whine and he plunges into you. You let out a cry at the sudden stretch then moan appreciatively at the sensation of being filled.

Without instruction, your hips begin to move and you bounce on his dick, loving how easily he slides in and out of you. Your fingers curl and extract in his curls while his hot hands help guide you as you ride him.

The car is filled with your pants and moans as you lose control for the first time.

“That’s it, ride me just like that,” he praises and it makes you moan more. His words trickle to your clit and you bounce harder, move faster. Luke moans with you as he feels you clench around his dick.

“I’m...I’m almost...LUKE!” you damn near scream his name as you release once more but Luke takes control of your hips and keeps you moving.

He thrusts up into you at a rapid pace, skin slapping skin, your bodies becoming hot. Luke pushes the skirt of your dress up higher, one hand squeezing your ass cheek while the other smacks it. You cry out in pleasure and kiss him hungrily, needing more, craving more of him.

He smacks your ass a few more times before you’re both fucking each other in rapid speed. His breath hitches and he groans into your mouth as you feel his hot load spurt inside you. Your whole body is warm as your motions slow.

With a heavy sigh, you stare at him in a trance. Luke cradles your cheeks in his hands, he smiles softly then pecks your lips gently.

“I wanted to do this in my own bed, but I couldn’t wait that long,” he admits.

“I’m glad you didn’t,” you pant then turn your head to the side. “I’d like to try it in your bed though.”

Luke laughs, his eyes scan down your body then back up again. “I’d like to see all of you.”

“Then let’s go.” you press your lips to his again.

“One condition,” he says and wraps his fingers in your hair. He pulls your head back, his dominance showing through.

“Yes?”

“You’re my queen now, yeah?” he smiles, teeth showing like a lion.

“Life’s a jungle,” you grin.

“And a lioness is queen.”

• • • •

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we-are-only-halfway-home93 · 4 years ago

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Wild Salt Air 1- Outer Banks Fic - [JJ x OC]

Summary: The ocean is dark and deep, hiding all her treasures. JJ catches the eye of one such hidden creature.

Characters: JJ x OC, John B x Sarah Cameron, Kiara x Pope, Topper, Rafe

Warnings: Brief mentions of rape (not of a main character), suicide, near death experience

Word Count: 3728

AN: So I watched Outer Banks, like, forever and a day ago and JJ is my favorite. I mean, when is JJ not the favorite. Anyway, I got this idea in my head that JJ gets saved by a mermaid and they fall in love. It’s not going to be very long. I was going to make it a one shot but the beginning is all background information so I decided that it was going to be maybe two or three chapters instead.

I based my mermaids on the story of the goddess Atargatis. Here’s a website that goes into more detail about her:

Atargatis the First Mermaid

I also based it on a story that I swear I heard somewhere about how the sirens based on Greek myth were created when women jumped overboard instead of being taken by pirates. I swear I heard that somewhere but I cannot find it anywhere.

I also made this story non canon compliant. John B and Sarah are together and so are Pope and Kiara. They didn’t search for treasure and Ward Cameron didn’t kill John B’s dad. This is mostly going to be about JJ and his mermaid but I just wanted to make it clear that it’s not compliant with the tv show.

Anyway, enjoy!

Wild Salt Air

Chapter 1

She was called many things.

Nereid

Mermaid

Nymph

Siren

She had but one name that she had been called as far back as she could remember.

Dahlia

She didn’t remember much from before her life in the water. She remembered where she was born, she remembered her name and she remembered her death.

She was born in Denmark to humble traders in 1770. She grew up on the coast learning to swim and to fish from her father. Her mother taught her how to bake and to sew, womanly endeavors.

Her father traveled often, leaving for months at a time on trading vessels. She’d begged to go with him every season and every season he would say no, maybe next year. Her mother always said it was too dangerous. Terrible things happened to a woman at sea.

Dahlia didn’t care. She possessed a love for the water she’d carry with her into death.

The year she turned 16, her father finally let her accompany him on his voyage across the sea. He said it was a simple trade journey, delivering a cargo of beef, pork, sugar, butter and so on. It would be months and she would be one of the only females aboard. She didn’t mind, she remembered. Just the joy of being with her father was enough to make the journey worth while.

They were sailing along near the coast of the colonies when they were attacked.

They were set upon by pirates and most of the crew was killed near instantly. They were not equipped with more than a handful of fighting men. They were a trade ship after all and most of the crew were merchants and fishermen. Her father had been one of the first to die, huddled as he was in a corner. He’d been shielding her from the attack and his death had exposed her.

Dahlia was one of only three women on board. The captain’s wife and the first mate's mother made up the rest. The captain’s wife had been sequestered in the cabin early in the fight being subjected to unspeakable things. The first mate’s mother had died quickly, falling on the sword of a pirate as she ran.

Dahlia was unlucky enough to survive the initial attack. The pirate captain was fascinated with her. He’d twisted her hair around his fingers, stroking the nearly white strands with dirty nails. He’d commented on her eyes more than once, astonished at their indigo color. He’d remarked several times on their shifting hue in the light. He’d said they’d reminded him of the ocean and its constant changing waves.

When he began speaking of taking her with him aboard his own ship, she knew that her life was forfeit. She could not survive at the whims of another. She could only imagine the terrible things he’d planned to do to her and dread had speared her heart.

His first mistake had been turning his back on her. She’d wanted to attack him but she knew she was no match. She was too small. She couldn’t take on any of his crew either. They had too much experience and she had no weapon. Her only choice, the only way she would be free of him, was death.

While his back was turned, she’d made her way to the side of the boat. The same side that the pirates had boarded. She’d stood on the edge, looking down at the sea.

She would always remember how calm the water was. The waves lapped at the sides in the gentle breeze. There hadn’t been a cloud in the sky. The sun had been shining down on the deck, warming the wood and stinging the soles of her bare feet.

A perfect summer's day.

She’d heard the captain call out to her so she’d turned. He had been standing a few feet in front of her, one hand outstretched. He didn’t try to move towards her.

He called to her again, flexing his fingers once towards him.

She’d met his eyes with her own and fell back, landing hard in the water.

She remembered closing her eyes, feeling the currents carrying her away. She remembered sinking lower and lower as her lungs began to burn. She had opened her eyes and watched as the sun grew further away as she sank. She remembered opening her mouth to take in a lungful of air when a dark shadow dove towards her. Then everything went black.

She doesn’t remember much after that.

It was as if she had woken from a dream and her life had always been as it was under the sea.

Time moved differently beneath the water.

Years felt like days and months felt like hours. Time went by and different ships sailed the seas.

New ships, bigger ships, louder ships.

Fewer men died at sea. Women even less so.

Her sisters began to die off. One right after the other.

As long as their lives were, they were not immortal. They lived for hundreds of years but they still grew old and gray.

Their numbers dwindled until there were just a few hundred of them on that side of the coast.

Dahlia lived a relatively solitary life. She had a tribe that she belonged to and others that would share with her but she liked being alone.

She may have chosen to die at sea but she didn’t choose to become a predator.

She loved her sisters and her life below the water but she never developed a taste for killing like they did. She didn’t relish in consuming the unsuspecting sailor who crossed their path. She didn’t enjoy hunting down men who sailed into their territory. Unlike her sisters, she still had some memories of her life before the sea.

She knew that not all were evil. She remembered men like her father who lost his own life protecting hers. She didn’t think it was fair to kill all men because of a few bad ones.

She remembered what it was like to walk above water and feel the sun on her face.

The sun was warm and inviting. The water was cold and unforgiving.

She had loved the sea in life but death reminded her of the warmth of the sun and all she had to offer.

She didn’t like it but she would do what she had to to survive.

She often found herself watching the sun shimmer against the waves, her brilliant light blurred by the rolling sea. Sometimes, if she reached out, she could feel the warmth of her rays just barely brushing the skin of her palms.

Oh, how she missed the sun.

The moon didn’t hold the same warmth as the sun. The moon was cold. The moon hid more than she revealed.

Because of what she was, she was forced to lurk in the darkest depths of the water where humans couldn’t see. Horror stories travelled through their tribes faster than the changing tides. Stories about some of their kind being discovered and taken to the surface only to be tormented and butchered by humans.

In her sisters’ eyes, humans were the enemy. Evil creatures put on the earth to destroy their kind. She didn’t remind them that they once used to be human.

Because of the humans, her sisters felt that they couldn’t travel during the day. It was safer to move at night. Hunting at night offered easier pickings. The weaker males didn’t last as long in the night. It made it harder for them to be seen, too, so they were less likely to be caught. Dahlia didn’t agree but she held her tongue. She was the minority among her kind.

She didn’t count how long she’d been what she was. She knew that it had to have been years since she passed from her earthly life into her sea life but she wasn’t sure exactly how many.

She used the ocean activity to gauge the passing of time and to distract her from her unhappiness.

Boats traveled further. They didn’t have to use oars anymore. Boats got bigger as well. Faster.

Women started to frolic in the sea the same as men. Their bathing costumes grew smaller and more revealing. They created games in the water.

Small boats that they would sit on individually and glide across the surface of the water. They chased each other on these contraptions, sending spouts of water into the sea as they traveled.

Big, long, boards that men and women would stand on and ride the waves. Small boards that would do the same. Skinny sticks that people would strap to their feet and then be pulled along by the boats.

So many amazing things that Dahlia only dreamt about enjoying.

It was on one of those days when she saw him.

She’d been hovering contently above an outcropping of reef, clinging low to its base, her tailfin slowly flicking from side to side. Her eyes scanned the ocean above her, watching the people play. Men and women, boys and girls, all of them were enjoying the ocean that day.

She caught him out of the corner of her eye.

He was riding the waves on his board, dissecting them as they cut into his path. He sent foaming spray up every time he twisted the back end of the board.

It was the sun that made him stand out. It shined off his body like wheat on a summer's day. His hair glistened in the light, sparkling as he crested each new wave. His body was browned by the sun, a new trend that she thoroughly enjoyed.

Men and women alike were tanned. When she was a human, it was frowned upon for anyone to allow their skin to darken in the sun. The only people who did it were the ones who worked in the fields all day. Farm hands and servants. Any proper lady or gentleman would never allow the sun to darken their skin beyond its natural creamy complexion.

She found that she liked the browned skin of these new people. The way the sun licked their flesh was utterly fascinating.

His skin was dark and wet, shining in the sun.

She could tell he was strong. The way he kept his balance on the board showcased his core muscle strength. His legs were solid pillars of power as he steered the board through the water. She caught a glimpse of his hands when he briefly touched the surface on one of his passes across the waves. They were big and long and cut through the water like a blade.

She didn’t realize she’d followed him down the coast until he began paddling into shore. She was no longer covered by the reef and had exposed herself to anyone who happened to be swimming by.

She found a large rock close to the beach that afforded her some level of protection. She poked her head out above the water just enough to watch him run ashore.

He met another man on the beach. This man was sitting with a pile of what she assumed were their possessions. He had long dark hair and some kind of dark shield covering his eyes. The golden man ran out of the water and up the beach, slapping hands with the man sitting.

She watched as they gathered their things and left the beach, all the while the gold one shook water from his hair and glistened in the sun.

She found herself looking for him after that day.

At first it was just every once in a while when she found herself watching the water but eventually she would stop every day and watch the waves. She found that the more she stopped the more likely she was to see him.

She learned new things about him when he was on the water. She learned that he was stubborn, falling off his board and getting back on every time, never letting the water defeat him. She learned that he was funny, making his companions laugh when they played together.

Mostly it was his spirit that made her love him. He rode every wave like it was the most important thing he needed to accomplish. He sailed the ocean like it was what he was born to do. He looked ready to conquer the world some days. Others it looked like the world had conquered him but he always rode the waves with a determination her father would have been proud to see on any of her suitors.

It was when that thought first crossed her mind that she realized she may be in love with him.

Her kind didn’t fall in love. There were no males of their species.

They were created when the goddess Atargatis jumped to her death after the death of her beloved. The water would not conceal her beauty so she was turned into a half-woman, half-fish, forever roaming the waters alone.

This tragic love grew through the centuries into despair and death. Women who jumped to their untimely death from any vessel at sea would be given the kiss of Atargatis and turned into a half-woman, half-fish, forever roaming the sea, killing unsuspecting sailors and men when they crossed their paths.

She was given one such kiss and forever bound to the water.

She could become human again, if she so desired.

If the pull of her heart was ever strong enough, and she gave the kiss of Atargatis to a man, she would forfeit her extended life and transform back into her human self. She would save the life of her human man and, in turn, become human herself.

There were only whispers that this had happened before. Not one of her sisters to recall if one of their kind had ever actually bestowed the kiss of Atargatis onto a man. She didn’t even know if it could be done.

She would try though.

It really was only instinct that drove her to do it. She didn’t intend to give him the kiss of Atargatis but it did happen.

It had been a dreary day. A storm was coming. She could feel it in the water.

The waves had been angry all day, beating the coast without mercy, washing debris onto the shore and back out again as they retreated only to bombard the sand with more fury.

It was on days like this that her sisters took shelter far beneath the surface of the ocean where the gods’ wrath couldn’t reach them.

Dahlia liked days like this.

These were days where she could swim freely near the surface without fear of being seen.

Humans were less likely to venture into the water when the waves were this angry.

She was swimming along the drop off when she saw golden legs splash into the water. She jerked back and darted away, retreating far from human eyes.

When her heart stopped racing, and she was well hidden behind an outcropping of rocks, she lifted her head out of the water and searched the coast.

The air froze in her lungs when she saw her golden boy cutting through the waves on his board.

The dark gray clouds moved menacingly towards him, his frame shrinking as the waves rose and crashing around him.

She could just make out the lines of his from her distance. His brows were drawn together in a deep scowl and his frame was tense. His eyes were wet but not from the ocean and his lips were nearly bloodless, he pressed them together so hard.

He was angry.

She didn’t know why but she didn’t care.

Behind him, a towering wave rose up, dwarfing his body against its deep backdrop. She saw it happening just seconds before it really did.

The wave crashed down on him, dragging him down into the depths of the ocean before he had time to blink.

A cry escaped her lips and she dove down, frantically searching for him beneath the black waters.

She swam across the ocean and down, diving further away from any light as she went. Her eyes adjusted easily but her golden boy still remained out of sight.

Her eyes grew heavy and her chest tight as she searched the waters in a desperate bid to find him. Her hair swirled around her in frantic tendrils as she whipped her head around.

Just as she felt that hope was lost and her golden boy was gone, lightning lit up the sky and she saw the outline of a body floating gently just a few feet from her.

Her heart leapt with joy and she darted towards him. She wrapped her arms around his chest and flung herself towards the surface as fast as her fin would carry her.

She broke the surface and desperately searched the shoreline. Several feet to her right there was a stretch of beach with several small hills obscuring part of the short from view. She needed to be as hidden as possible.

It didn’t take her long to reach the shore even with his additional weight. She pushed him up as far as she could. She settled herself at his side and pressed a hand to his chest. He wasn’t moving.

She laid her head where his heart was and heard no beating. She felt tears come to her eyes and rush down her cheeks before she had time to stop them. She closed her eyes and nuzzled against the side of his chest, begging Atargatis to save him.

A deep calm settled over her and she opened her eyes.

She sat up and gazed down at his face. He could’ve been sleeping.

She stroked her fingers down the plains of his face, tracing the smooth slope of his nose and hard angle of his jaw. She ran her fingertips over his eyebrows, shaking off the dampness that lingered. She dragged her thumb over his full bottom lip, tugging it down and clicking her nail against his teeth. She smoothed her hand across his face, tracing the shell of his ear.

She leaned down, bumping her nose against his. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. He smelled of salt and sand. The aroma lingered in his sinuses and she savored it.

She pressed her forehead against his, bracing herself.

She touched her lips to his, the barest hint of skin against skin.

He tasted like the salt of the sea and sunshine.

She pressed harder, willing herself into him.

After what felt like several minutes, she pulled away, stroking her thumb over his cheekbone.

She didn’t even know if it would work. She’d only ever heard rumors. She hoped it worked. He was beautiful. He was the light of her sun. He shined bright upon her under the sea, allowing her to feel that much more warmth from the sun. He brought a newness to the ocean that she hadn’t seen in a long time. He made her feel alive again, so much more than the predator she’d been turned into.

She felt a shift in her center of gravity, like a piece of her she didn’t know was missing finally locked into place. A cooling sensation followed. It started at the crown of her head and slowly worked its way down her spine, settling over her. It was then that she knew it had worked.

She watched as the color returned to his cheeks. His eyes began to move beneath his lids. His fingers flexed against the sand but still his chest did not rise with breath.

“JJ!” She looked up when a shout echoed through the tense air.

Four people came down the beach, frantic. One she recognized as the long haired man who’d greeted her golden boy on the shores so many weeks ago. The others she’d never seen before.

There was a dark skinned boy whose hands were clutching the back of his head in desperation. An olive skinned girl who cupped her hands over her mouth and shouted again, “JJ!”

The final person on the beach was a tanned girl with golden brown hair flowing down to her waist. She clutched the hand of the long haired boy and frantically searched the beach.

A strangled gasp resounded beneath her and she looked down.

His eyes were unfocused as he gazed up at the sky. His chest heaved with each breath that he took. She stroked her hand down the side of his face and he jerked his head towards her.

She hovered over him, really gazing down into his face for the first time. Until now, she’d only ever seen him from a distance. He was beautiful then. Now he was striking.

His crystal eyes shifted in and out of focus, staring up at her. He brought a hand up to cradle hers against his face.

“JJ!”

She looked over. He followed at a sluggish pace. They were getting closer.

She looked down at him. His face was turned towards his friends. She glanced back over at them before she dropped her lips down to his, placing a tender kiss on the corner of his mouth. He tried to move, to react but she didn’t let him.

She slithered down his frame, her hand trailing across his chest as she disappeared back into the water.

She could feel the strength leaving her tail fin and knew it was only a matter of time before it was gone, replaced by human legs. She needed to find a place away from here where she could shift under the camouflage of the beach.

She sank below the surface and watched as his friends discovered him supine on the shore. She watched as they lifted and carried him away.

A flame of hope sprang up in her chest when his head turned to look over his shoulder. She hoped he was looking for her.

She felt her lungs tighten and release, a sure sign that she was rapidly losing her abilities. She ducked down under the water, swimming with minimal strength to the cover of a cave only a few yards from where she’d left her golden boy. JJ.

With hope burning bright in her chest, she settled in her cave and let her transformation take hold.

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