#tidaldiaries

[tidaldiariessimblr]

🏝️Time on Island: Day 45

AN: Longer Chapters Ahead Folks!

I can't believe I'm losing to a fish.

Out of sheer boredom, I taught Ioannis how to play Rock, Paper, Scissors, and I’ve lost the last four rounds. What the hell? Flopping back, I threw my hands up in defeat.

“I give up. You’re good at everything,” I groaned, letting my head sink into the soft sand.

Ioannis laughed, a deep, melodic sound that stirred something in my chest. He tucked his tail beneath him and leaned down to meet my gaze.

“Oh, is that so?”

Giving him the rudest side-eye I could muster, I sighed dramatically.

“I’m BORED.”

“Surely, there must be something else we can do to entertain you?” he asked, a teasing glint in his eye.

I rolled onto my stomach, propping my chin in my hands as I gazed out at the endless expanse of ocean. “I miss my phone,” I muttered, the mere thought of it making me feel even more restless. It had remained in my jean pocket while the ship went down, but it was broken and completely waterlogged—totally unusable.

His brows furrowed as if he was conflicted.

“I could…” he started, his voice trailing off as he seemed to contemplate something.

I glanced at him, curiosity piqued. “You could what?”

“I could grant you the ability to breathe underwater.”

“Wait—what? You can do that?” I sat up, shocked.

“Temporarily,” he clarified, his tone serious.

“Can we do it now?”

“Of course,” he said, although the playful spark in his eyes dimmed slightly. “But you must understand one thing: you have to remain near me. The ocean can be…unpredictable.”

I nodded eagerly. “Okay.”

He took another deep breath, his features suddenly taut with concentration. I could sense he was stalling again, and it only deepened the knot of anticipation twisting in my stomach.

“So how do you—” I started, but he interrupted me.

“As I have mentioned, it is only temporary, but I will need to provide you with breath.” His tone was matter-of-fact, and he paused, as if giving me a moment to fully grasp the implications of what he was saying.

Huh?

He had to give me breath?

He had to give… me… breath.

My mind screeched to a halt.

OH.

He had to give me breath.

So, his mouth and my mouth…

“Oh,” I stuttered, suddenly feeling a rush of heat spreading across my cheeks. “You— you have to put your—”

“Indeed,” he replied, his brows raising slightly as he regarded me patiently.

I nodded in agreement and despite my heart pounding in my chest I trailed behind him as we ventured into the water.

When he turned and moved closer to me to…transfer air, I silently prayed he couldn’t see how flustered I truly was. His fingers brushed against my cheek, and he pulled back for a moment, hesitation flickering in his eyes. Would he really go through with this?

Then, in an instant, his cool, wet hands cradled my face. Until this moment, our encounters had been marked by fleeting brushes of the hand or my leg against his tail while swimming but never something so overt. His steady gaze bore into mine, electrifying and intense, leaving me breathless and questioning everything I felt.

“Just concentrate on me,” he said, his voice calm.

Okay,” I said weakly.

“Hold your breath.” 

And then, he pulled me under. 

The water embraced us, cool and refreshing, and before I could think, he was drawing me toward him, sealing his lips over mine. 

The moment our lips touched, a rush of air bubbles filled my lungs—both strange and exhilarating. It was as if I was sharing a part of him; his breath mingled with mine, seamlessly intertwining our worlds in that brief moment.

It’s not a kiss. It’s not a kiss. It’s not a kiss.

He pulled away and I opened my eyes to find his gaze fixed on me.

“Breathe,” he urged, his voice ringing clear in the water like a bell.

I took a deep breath—and though it was water, it felt as effortless as air.

“Well?” Ioannis asked, his tone almost bashful.

My grin couldn’t be contained, joy bubbling up within me. “It feels… amazing! I can breathe!”

I saw the corners of his mouth twitch into a smile, his eyes sparkling with that mischievous glimmer that promised adventure beneath the waves.

To Be Continued...

˚꩜🐚🌊🔱🫧꩜˚

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IM FUCKING CRYING AND RUINING MY OWN NEW YEARS RESOLUTION TO STOP CURSING BUT IM FUCKING OVERWHELMED BY HOW SWEET THIS IS 😩😭🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷

me behind the screen:

Tidaldiariessimblr is a very talented storyteller, the effort put into her story is stunning

@tidaldiariessimblr 💚

[coaless]

"TidalCycles - Pattern 0058" by sumisonic

[sumisonic]

TidalCycles - Pattern 0043

Made with TidalCycles.

https://github.com/sumisonic/TidalDiary/blob/master/pattern_0043.tidal

do let whenmod' n s e = when ( (\c -> (c >= s) && (c < e)).(`mod` n) ) d1 $ stack [ stut 2 0.75 1 $ sound "ab:2" # speed 0.25 # coarse 2 # cutoff (slow 8 $ scale 300 1200 sine1) # resonance 0.1 # hcutoff 100, sound "ab:8/2" # speed 0.8, whenmod' 16 0 8 (# gain 0) $ sound "ab:7(3,6,7)" # coarse 2 # speed 0.9 # gain 0.9, every' 8 7 (0.5 <~) $ off 1 ((# up (-18)).(|*| gain (slow 12 envL))) $ sound "ade:3/2" # up (-16) |*| speed (-1) # cutoff 1200 # resonance 0.1 # hcutoff 200 # gain 0.8, sound "ade:9" # gain 0.8, whenmod' 12 0 6 (# gain 0) $ sound "glitch:5(1,8,2)" # gain 0.9, stack [ stut 4 0.8 0.25 $ gain "1*4" # sound "techno" # coarse "<2 4 6 8>" # speed 0.7 # shape 0.9 |*| gain 0.6, sound "jungbass:1(<3 2>,8)" # gain 0.9 ] |*| gain (slow 16 envL) ] # room 0.9 # size 0.9 # delay 1 # delaytime (slow 8 $ scale 0.25 0.33 tri1) # delayfeedback 0.7 # orbit 1 |*| gain 0.9 d2 $ stack [ slow 2 $ sound "[ifdrums, 909](<2 3>,8)" # speed 0.8 # cutoff 200 # resonance 0.1 # gain 0.9 ]

[tidaldiariessimblr]

AN: HAHA! A 3 IN 1!

🏝️Time on Island: Day 65

My days on the island blurred and somehow along the way also transformed my time from strictly survival to moments where I truly enjoyed just being—and I was always accompanied by Ioannis.

I continued to explore, excited about my own collections expanding. While Io retrieved treasures from beneath the waves, I focused on what was on land. As time went by without any sign of rescue, I shifted my focus toward crafting tools for survival.

First task: Making a fishing net.

And I was doing horribly. 

I sat hunched over a pile of palm fronds, assorted vines, and coconut shells frustrated. Although I had gathered what I thought I might need, I realized putting them together was far more complicated than I had anticipated.

“Io?” I whined. “How do I do this?”

His laughter was loud and beautiful, and I couldn’t help the warmth that spread across my cheeks.

 “It requires patience, little human,” he replied, swimming closer to shore and shaking the water from his hair, splashing me in the process. I blinked at him, unimpressed.

“As well as practice.”

“Easy for you to say, Mr. Perfect,” I grumbled. 

He had an uncanny knack for crafting gadgets, showing me his own collection of tools also fashioned from the pieces of land and sea. With Io’s encouragement, I experimented with different ways to intertwine the fronds, still struggling through and through.

“Here let me show you,” Ioannis said, his lips curved into a smirk as he expertly demonstrated the technique. 

“I did that!”

He had the audacity to laugh at me. 

“Of course you did, little human. Now try it again, perhaps correctly this time.”

“Wow, okay, Mr. Sarcastic,” I muttered. 

But my stomach fluttered when he laughed and gently tucked a strand of hair behind my ear.

𓆝 𓆟 𓆞𓆝 𓆟

🏝️ Time on Island: Day 69

As Io and I spent more time together, I found myself unconsciously easing into whatever was growing between us. I deluded myself into labeling it friendship. On a particularly lazy afternoon, we lounged in the sand, gazing at the clouds drifting lazily across the vast sky.

“Look! That one’s shaped like a whale!” I pointed excitedly at a fluffy formation overhead.

Ioannis tilted his head, a playful smile forming on his lips. 

“Hmm…I’d argue it resembles more of my kin.”

“So, you're half whale?” I teased, unable to suppress a grin.

“Amusing.” He flicked some sand at me playfully.

But then curiosity piqued, and I asked,

“Io, why are you the only one of your kind here?”

“I’m not.”

His response took me by surprise.

"Though this is my territory, there are a few who linger nearby. They understand not to overstep my boundaries; it's considered quite rude." He explained, and I couldn’t help but watch his mouth as he spoke, my mind wandering to what his lips had felt like. They were so soft. Heat crept up my neck, and I struggled to suppress the urge to fling myself into the water.

"My kind typically prefer to stay hidden, away from the surface," he continued. "But I do not share that sentiment. And I... have never come across anything quite like you." 

I felt a shiver run down my spine as he looked at me like I was the only person in the world.

“Pfft…I don’t know about all that. I think I was considered pretty boring back home. That’s why I even went on that ship—I thought I could take a vacation and magically become someone new and well, you see how that turned out.”

“Perhaps this is where you needed to be.”

“I don’t belong here, Io,” I said, looking away, hesitant to even entertain what staying on the island might mean. 

“I disagree. You yourself said you were looking for change. I can't imagine anything being more different.” His voice held a conviction that both stirred and unsettled me.

I don't belong here...but wouldn't it be nice if I did?

𓆝 𓆟 𓆞𓆝 𓆟

🏝️Time on Island: Day 73

The sunsets here were breathtaking. Each evening, I watched as the sky painted itself in vivid shades of orange, pink, and purple. I lay across Io's lap, watching the stars start to twinkle faintly. It was unusually humid today and the ocean churned restlessly.

I sleepily pulled off his lap and stretched across the beach. “What’s wrong with the water? The waves seem worse than usual.”

“A storm is coming, little human. A natural cleansing of the sea.” There was a thrill in his voice, as if storms ignited something deep within him.

Captivated, I watched as the breeze tousled his hair, playfully framing his face. Tiny particles of sand clung to his now slightly curled blue-black locks. My gaze traced the elegant curve of his neck, the way it followed the strong line of his freckle splattered shoulders. 

When his strange blue and yellow eyes shifted in my direction and caught me staring, a rush of heat flooded my cheeks. My instincts kicked in, and I threw my hands over my face.

“Ugh."

“What?” he asked, clearly amused.

“Nothing,” I replied as I fought to regain my composure, aware that my words were far from the truth.

“Tell me," He pressed.

“No."

“Imogen.” He said my name like a challenge, and I felt my resolve waver.

“It’s nothing, you’re just—” The words were there in my mind, but they refused to form on my tongue.

“I’m just what?” he urged, leaning slightly closer.

“Do you all look like—” I gestured vaguely to his face, trying to find the right words to not embarrass myself.

When he remained silent, clearly entertained by my inability to form a coherent sentence, I sighed.

“Never mind,” I finally said, my voice shaky.

I could sense that he wasn’t going to let it go that easily, and part of me didn't want him to.

But I did not expect what happened next.

“What do I look like, Imogen?” His voice was low and teasing and it was downright cruel as he leaned over me, his arms forming a cage that trapped me underneath him.

“I—uh—” I stuttered like an absolute idiot. 

His presence was overwhelming with an underlying wildness that made me burn inside. It was deeply uncomfortable to suddenly have two completely different parts of me…pulsing. 

“It is unkind to leave me waiting in suspense,” he said, tilting his head playfully, that infuriating smirk still on his lips. He clearly enjoyed me being flustered—a fact that only aggravated me further.

“I just meant—you're... different. Good looking, I guess, I don’t know.” I finally muttered, the words trailing off.

There was a beat of silence. His smile widened, revealing a glimpse of his genuine pleasure. 

“Good-looking? Is that all?”

I felt my cheeks heat even more.

“What do you want me to say?” I shot back, trying to reclaim some ground.

“Whatever is it you are thinking about that is making your cheeks turn that interesting shade of red."

Nope.

“I’m going to sleep!” I shouted, scrambling out of his arms and retreating to my self-made leaf tent with his laughter trailing behind me.

"Little human, come back. I'm sorry!"

˚꩜🐚🌊🔱🫧꩜˚

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[tidaldiariessimblr]

AH! @toadifylackoffantasy thanks! 🤗

Hmmmm.....I think my simblr resolution is to find the patience to figure out Reshade (which I presently do not have the willpower to do even though there are so many helpful tutorials) and to learn how to make my own poses cause a b*tch is struggling with Io's damn tail 🤣

Regardless, so excited to see where this all goes and very grateful for all who have supported me thus far! Happy Holidays ✨

tagging y'all but please feel free to ignore 😉 @tia-amorosa @sircesimblr

hey y'all, happy holidays!

new years is coming up and i had an idea (ik it's probably been done before but yk) and wanted to share.

if you're tagged, share a sims or simblr related resolution and tag others to join in! 💖

my simblr resolution is to get better at building and gameplay!

i'm tagging @neishroom @claudtrait @acuar-io @birdietrait @coyotesim 🤞🏽

hope y'all enjoy your winter and your holidays <3

[tidaldiariessimblr]

🏝️Time on Island: Day 45

˚꩜🐚🌊🔱🫧꩜˚

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🏝️Time on Island: Day 45

Without a tail like Io, swimming this deep in the ocean was not as easy as I thought—not at all. My lack of grace caught his attention; I saw him roll his eyes with amusement before he effortlessly swam over and pulled me close. Despite my swimming skills, keeping pace with him required an entirely different level of ability.

I wrapped my arms and legs around his waist, clinging tightly as he accelerated toward the ocean floor.

As we glided through a vibrant kelp forest, schools of fish in every color fluttered and danced around us. They peeked through the tangled green stalks, seemingly aware of Ioannis's presence and curious about his unusual passenger.

"What does my little human think of my world so far?"

In that moment, he readjusted my legs higher around his waist, and the mere touch of his hands on my thighs sent fire to my…ahem…lady parts.

Get it together, Imogen. I thought. Have some control.

“It’s incredible,” I breathed, utterly captivated. “Absolutely beautiful”

"Yes, I think so too," he replied, but instead of looking ahead, he turned his gaze to me, sending an unexpected shiver down my spine.

A smug satisfaction flickered across his face at my reaction, heightening my embarrassment and leaving me acutely aware of how close we were pressed to one another.

As he brought us closer to the ocean floor, I instinctively pushed off from his solid form, breaking the contact between us.

“I want to explore!” I declared.

“Do not stray too far, little human,” he cautioned, his tone firm yet encouraging, a reminder of the boundaries he had set.

With that, I began to swim toward the coral formations that dotted the ocean floor, feeling an exhilarating rush of freedom. I couldn’t resist the urge to touch the vivid ocean plant life, its textures both rough and smooth under my fingertips. Fish darted around me, transforming the scene into a busy underwater city teeming with activity. Schools of angelfish moved elegantly through the depths, while a few seahorses cruised by calmly. Tiny minnows flitted about like shimmering sparks, weaving in and out of the coral formations.

Io lingered nearby, watching me explore, a soft smile never leaving his lips.

They're much softer than I expected. I mused, thus shocking even myself.

The way he existed within the water was a reminder of his connection to this place; every part of him had been crafted for life beneath the waves. His confidence was evident in the ease with which he navigated. It was clear he belonged here, enhancing its beauty with his very presence.

Curious fish began to swim closer, drawn in by the strange little human among them. Some even lingered around him, playfully darting in front of his face and weaving between his arms.

Io, however, wasn’t having it. With a flick of his hand, he shooed them away, a shift in his demeanor reminding me of where he stood in this underwater hierarchy.

“I see you’re quite popular down here. Now I understand why you like it so much,” I laughed, glancing back at him as I watched the schools of fish play peek-a-boo beneath his tail.

“They do not concern themselves with my well-being,” he replied dryly, but a hint of a smile touched his lips. “Only with their own.”

I found myself chuckling, wrapped in the magic of the moment. Diving deeper, I reached out to touch the delicate anemones, their colors more vivid than I could have imagined of a place where the sun barely reaches.

“You swim well when you are not trying to keep up with me,” Ioannis called, his voice leisurely flowing through the water. He was clearly enjoying himself, gliding smoothly around me as I twirled and swam amongst the coral.

“Who says I can’t keep up?” I shot back cheekily, kicking myself away with even more force.

“Imogen! Not too far!” he cautioned.

I dove beneath a rocky formation, pushing the boundaries just a little. I trusted he was nearby but when I turned around, he was gone. Momentary panic surged through me as I spun, scanning the area until I caught a glimpse of his tail peeking through the tall kelp.

“Okay, okay, I’m coming back!” I called out, relieved.

I heard his laughter echo in the water. As he swam above me, he flashed a playful grin and extended his hand toward me, an inviting gesture that felt both reassuring and thrilling.

I reached out to take his hand as he offered it, our fingers threading together in a gentle, intimate embrace.

To Be Continued...

˚꩜🐚🌊🔱🫧꩜˚

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🏝️Time on Island: Day 45

M: This content may include mature themes. Please read responsibly 😗

It was a massive shark, its ghastly form twisted and covered in clear battle scars from previous underwater fights. But something felt wrong—its eyes were unfocused, and its jaws snapped open and shut as if it struggled for control over its own body.

Before I could even process my own terror, Ioannis forcefully shoved me back towards the kelp forest, as he propelled forward to instinctively shield me from this creature.

“Ioannis!” I tried to yell, but my voice dissolved in the water—I had forgotten I was running low on the air he had given me.

Even this far down, I could hear the impact of his body colliding with the shark, a violent force sending ripples through the water.

“Get to the surface!” he shouted, casting a fleeting glance in my direction.

The shark’s gnashing teeth drew uncomfortably close to his stomach, his neck, and his face. The air in my lungs felt like it was evaporating—between the fear of losing him and the dwindling breath, I barely registered anything other than the scene playing out in front of me.

Especially when him looking at me came at a cost.

“Io, watch out!” A choked scream caught in my throat.

The shark snapped its jaws down hard, missing his forearm but catching Ioannis’s shoulder in a swift, brutal motion.

“Ioannis!” I cried, fear swirling within me. Without thinking, I swam toward the shark, trying to draw its attention away from him. “Hey! Over here!”

My lungs were burning.

Finally, its predatory focus shifted toward me; the tension thick in the water. I waved my arms, my heart racing as I desperately tried to distract the creature.

It worked.

I scrambled upward, struggling against the pressure of the water and the last bit of air rushing out of my lungs; I had run out of time.

“No, don’t!” Ioannis shouted.

As the shark barreled toward me, I silently chided myself.

Way to go Imogen! Every time you get in this water you’re drowning. You need a new hobby.

Ioannis, though wounded, managed to slam into the shark once more, forcing it off course.

But I watched helplessly as its massive tail lashed out like a hammer, the impact hitting me like a freight train. Pain exploded through the right side of my body, reminiscent of the time I dislocated my shoulder and broke my arm at twelve falling from a tree.

What a strange thing to think about while dying.

The world around me faded into an unfathomable darkness, swallowing my consciousness whole.

To Be Continued...

˚꩜🐚🌊🔱🫧꩜˚

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🏝️Time on Island: Day 43

“Io! Are you there?”

After a lengthy pause, he peeked around a rock, his expression reflecting a mix of apprehension and the sheepishness of someone caught red-handed. The sight made me burst into laughter.

𓆝 𓆟 𓆞𓆝 𓆟

“Thank you for the fruit, and the fish… and this weird seashell. You always find the strangest things,” I said, half-laughing as I held up the smooth, iridescent shell that had caught my attention. Its colors shimmered in the rising sun, reflecting hues I had never seen before.

A hint of a smile tugged at his lips, but there was no warmth in it. “You have become quite a capable little human on your own” he remarked, the words laced with something I couldn't place.

“Still couldn’t catch a fish though” I murmured.

Ioannis floated at a distance but no longer hid behind the rock. I suspected it was more than him respecting my space. In the stillness that followed, a wave of regret washed over me.

“I shouldn’t have called you a monster,” I said, my voice softer now. “I was angry and scared…”

He met my gaze, his expression unreadable. “My kind inspire fear for a reason,” he replied, the weight of his truth hanging between us. There was no malice in his voice, only acknowledgment of the nature of his being.

I settled into the soft sand beside my gifts, searching for kinder yet truthful words to express myself.

“I think in my fear, I minimized you to just one part of yourself, and I’m sorry for that.”

He tilted his head slightly. “It is understandable, and you owe me no apology. I am not like you, and harbor instincts that can be frightful to your kind.”

“I get that,” I responded, still searching for the right words. “But I can’t ignore that you…you saved me.”

He looked away, the shadows in his eyes deepening. “Perhaps I saved you for selfish reasons, to possess what I find intriguing. Doesn’t that make me a monster in a different sense?”

“I’m not sure what it means, truthfully, but I don’t think you’re a monster,” I shrugged. “You could’ve left me to fend for myself. You didn’t have to stick around and keep me company. Honestly, if you hadn’t been here with me, I might not even be alive anymore…”

“Maybe I should have—” he began quietly, unable to meet my gaze, trailing off.

“Let me drown?” I asked.

His gaze snapped to me, very clearly offended. “Do you think so little of me?”

“Not at all, but you seem regretful,” I replied.

“Little human,” he murmured. “I cannot ignore this instinct to protect you, and I am troubled by it. Your presence has become… important to me,” he confessed softly.

Another moment of silence passed, and I could see his struggle.

“You make it so easy to forget what I am.”

“Well, you kept your promise so far,” I said softly, my heart racing as I met his gaze. “So, you must care a little?”

A long pause filled the space between us, fraught with unspoken emotions. Just as I felt the moment stretch too long, he drew closer, the gentle warmth of his voice shocked me.

“I do not wish to be a monster, Imogen. Not to you.”

And this time, I truly believed him.

˚꩜🐚🌊🔱🫧꩜˚

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🏝️Time on Island: Day 75

I looked away from him.

“Why do you do that?” I asked.

“Hmm?” His brow furrowed slightly as if he hadn’t heard my question. I could sense that he was lost in his own thoughts but the source of them was unknown to me.

“Why do you always call me little human?” I inquired as I had always been curious about his persistent nickname for me. Although it never offended me (and was in fact quite true) something about it lately had…bothered me.

“Are you not?”

“Yes, but sometimes it feels like you’re drawing some kind of line.” I tried to keep my voice steady, but I could hear my self-consciousness slipping through. “Like you’re just trying to remind me how different we are.”

He seemed to consider my words for a moment, once again losing himself to whatever thoughts were clearly dominating his mental energies. "Perhaps I am," he murmured. "But, despite our differences, I consider you…equal in many ways."

"Equal?" I echoed, taken aback. There was nothing about me that could compare to his natural talents and abilities. The only true advantage I had over him was that I had legs. “Are you joking?”

“I call you little human because it feels...fitting. You are resilient and have fierce determination, something I admire.” He paused, a playful grin forming. “And, well, you are incredibly stubborn.”

“Oh, as you're one to talk.” I rolled my eyes, grinning despite myself.

Io was suddenly very still and…serious. He looked straight ahead at the swirling water, but I could see him stealing glances at me from the corner of his eye.

“When you smile…” His voice trailed off.

My heart raced, and I leaned in slightly, our shoulders brushing. “And when I smile, what?” I whispered, my voice barely audible over the thunderous storm outside.

“Your smile can move the tides.”

What a simple thing to say and yet his words sent a nearly forgotten but somewhat familiar feeling through me. Something I hadn’t felt in a long time. Without thinking, I leaned my head against his shoulder, finding comfort in his presence beside me.

To Be Continued...

˚꩜🐚🌊🔱🫧꩜˚

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🏝️Time on Island: Day 75

As the storm unleashed itself on the island, the relentless downpour drummed against the cave's ceiling loudly, wind wildly blowing the overgrowth of ivy. I was busy dragging my makeshift bed closer to the grotto's entrance...and stealing glances back at Ioannis.

He was leisurely leaning on a large piece of coral protruding from the grotto, watching me with curiosity. The rain soaked his hair and trickled down his face, but he seemed completely unperturbed by it.

“Woo! I did it. Look at these muscles.” I spun around playfully, flexing my arms. Truthfully, they had grown stronger over the months, but they still paled in comparison to him.

“I’m impressed.”

I could tell he was being sarcastic, but I was not feeding into his attitude on this day!

“You should be,” I laughed. “You should be marveling at my abilities. I definitely deserve at least a wow!”

“Wow," he said with a smirk. “Generous of me, don’t you think?”

“Very." I rolled my eyes but smiled at him, nonetheless.

I am absolutely hopeless.

"So, what do you do during storms like this?"

A spark of excitement ignited in his eyes. “I swim around and look for trouble,” he replied, his voice tinged with a thrill. “Or make it. After all, the ocean stirs up many treasures.”

“That sounds adventurous."

“It is, but I will not be going out tonight.”

“Awwwwww Io!" I grinned. "Are you keeping me company? Or just making sure I don’t get struck by lightning?”

“I must admit, I am not sure I would be too surprised if you managed the task,” he replied, a hint of laughter in his voice.

“Says the one who’s willing to let a shark bite him instead of swimming to safety! Honestly, priorities.” After a moment, I ventured, “What’s it like for you during storms? I mean…down there?”

He considered this. “Likely terrifying for those who cannot navigate it.”

“Are you ever scared? In the water, I mean?”

“Recently, only when you are in it,” he said, rolling his eyes.

I made a face at him, half-embarrassed, but I was certain there was a deeper meaning to his comment.

"Hey! I don’t swim that poorly, and besides, you swim with sharks and all types of creatures—I wouldn't be surprised if you go swimming with the kraken, too."

“I swim beside you,” he countered, his lips curling into a cheeky smile. "The kraken is...not my type and presently unavailable."

Just then, a crack of thunder shook the grotto, and I jumped, startled. “See? That’s what you get for flirting with me,” I quipped.

“Flirting, hmm?” He tilted his head, an amused glint in his eyes. “I did not realize you were so easily…affected by me.”

I grumbled. “It’s not like I’m really a challenge for you.”

“You certainly do challenge me.”

“What do you mean? I can barely catch a fish!”

“I meant you are a challenge to keep alive.” he laughed.

“Gee, thanks.” I deadpanned, feigning irritation but unable to hide my smile.

The winds howled and somehow even more rain fell, slamming loudly onto the ocean's surface. Watching as his hair blew across his face wildly and the waves splashed aggressively over his tail, I felt a twinge of concern for him.

He's staying on the surface for me. He would usually be deep underwater, away from this onslaught.

“Io, I’m not sure if you can get sick or anything, but it’s kind of crazy out there, and I’d hate for you to suffer just because you’re staying up here with me." I paused, trying to gather every ounce of courage I had in my body to speak the words I wanted to say. "If you’d like, you can come sit by me?”

He was silent long enough to make my insides squirm.

“Alright.”

I scooted over to make room for him, as he pulled himself up on the rocky ledge. I wasn’t concerned about him drying out; being so near the water. His strong arms pulled his heavy tail over the ledge as he slid closer.

“Isn’t your tail heavy?” I asked, curious.

“Not particularly,” he replied matter-of-factly, “though I cannot stay on land indefinitely.”

As he settled next to me, his elbow knocking mine, I couldn't help the fluttering feeling of my stomach full of those annoying invisible butterflies. I looked at him from the corner of my eye, feeling the tips of my ears turn hot.

“Hi.”

“Hello, little human,” he replied softly, a warm smile breaking across his face.

To Be Continued...

˚꩜🐚🌊🔱🫧꩜˚

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🏝️Time on Island: Day 41

The rain drummed steadily against the fronds overhead, creating a calming rhythm that reverberated through my makeshift shelter. I nestled deeper into my cocoon of drenched leaves, savoring the warmth they offered. It wasn't cold but I would have liked the tattered blanket I'd left behind in the grotto.

Today wasn’t meant for exploring or fishing; it felt like one of those rare days meant for simply existing—to just listen to the waves and wait for the sun to reappear.

I may or may not have been wondering what Io might be doing in this downpour...

˚꩜🐚🌊🔱🫧꩜˚

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🏝️Time on Island: Day 45

"Little human, you will require more air."

Io's voice drifted through the water like a song. I turned to find him sprawled across a sizable piece of coral, effortlessly relaxed, his eyes sparkling with amusement as he watched me.

A delightful flutter filled my stomach, and I sought distraction by kicking my legs, swimming toward him while playfully hovering just above. Barely an arm's length away, he playfully blew a bubble towards my face, the buoyant surprise catching me off guard, and I burst into laughter.

In a fluid movement, his strong hands encircled my waist, drawing me closer until I found myself pressed against him as he propelled us away from the coral.

My breath caught as his fingers danced lightly up my arms, sending ripples of excitement cascading through me. For a blissful moment we floated through the depths, lost in this underwater world.

Without thinking, I found myself brushing my fingers against his cheek.

“Imogen” He murmured, looking straight at my mouth. “Allow me to give you air.”

Yes, air was a necessity—not an urgent one, simply a reminder of my human needs...

And yet it wasn't that thought that compelled me to trace my fingers lightly across his lips.

So close…

He’s so close…

Air.

I needed… air.

I need—

His expression shifted so quickly that I momentarily wondered if I had imagined it.

But shadow suddenly loomed above us and a wave of dread twisted deep in my gut. I instinctively tensed, my fingers freezing on his lips, as I followed Io’s gaze upward tracing the source of the encroaching darkness…

To Be Continued...

˚꩜🐚🌊🔱🫧꩜˚

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🏝️Time on Island: Day 75

A storm had indeed been on its way.

I woke to the sun shining, the sky bright and clear, but as the day progressed it changed bringing forth dark, heavy clouds.

Watching as my leaf tent shook rather violently in the increasing gusto of the wind, I worried it wouldn’t hold up in whatever tempest was clearly coming. As if the sky couldn’t hold itself any longer, the rain started to fall, the loud impact of each drop slapping hard against the ocean.

A little further out at sea my merman companion had been resting, completely at ease, his tail flicking gently keeping him afloat. But when I looked for him again, he was gone.

“Io?”

A wave of confusion washed over me until I spotted him underwater, swimming toward me.

I made my way toward him, watching as his silhouette broke the surface of the rolling waves, his gaze scanning the horizon in the direction of the storm.

“Come,” he called. “It is time to return to the grotto. I can keep you safe there."

I hadn’t gone back since our argument (he’d been incredibly tolerant of my decision to make this little expanse of the uncharted island my own) but as the rain fell in torrents, I knew that he was right.

“Let me carry you, little human. It will be faster.”

For once I obliged without comment, sliding my arms around him. But as he said... I was only human and the warmth of his hands on my thighs as he drew my legs around his waist was simultaneously the bane of my existence…and so so good.

As we swam, the rain only grew worse. The wind whipped around us, and the loud claps of thunder reverberated louder than anything I had ever heard back in the city.

“This storm is fierce,” I commented, spitting out wayward strands of hair that were slapping me in the mouth.

“It is not the worst this island has seen,” he continued, his voice barely audible. “The one that brought you here was certainly more intense.”

“Oh." I muttered, the weight of that realization sinking in.

If this was considered insignificant compared to the one that had nearly cost me my life, then I definitely hadn't stood a chance without him there to rescue me...

To Be Continued...

˚꩜🐚🌊🔱🫧꩜˚

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🏝️Time on Island: Day 38

“What happens when you decide I’m your next meal?”

I find myself reliving the argument that erupted between us. I can still hear my voice, raw with anger and fear. His reply echoes in my mind, but it’s laced with a deep sadness that breaks my heart.

“I could not.”

I had challenged him, questioning how he could be both my protector and a predator.

“You’re a monster!” I shouted.

Now, I find myself alone beneath the vast sky, my tears cascading down, each drop a mix of regret and shame. I can still see the look on his face—how his eyes dulled with hurt, and his usually strong features sagged under the weight of my words. The struggle of a creature caught between instinct and attachment.

The sight had unnerved me so deeply that the only thing I could do was to run.

My specialty, I thought sarcastically.

Still...no matter how I feel about Io, fear always creeps back in like a shadow, reminding me of his potential for violence. I'm trapped in this tug-of-war—wanting to call out for him yet wanting to pull away from his animal instincts.

But… was I wrong to think he could turn that way toward me without a second thought? I honestly didn’t know anymore.

Regardless, the uncertainty looms all around. I have no idea how long rescue will take, or truthfully if anyone is even on their way...

˚꩜🐚🌊🔱🫧꩜˚

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