#ryan h

“‘Ay! What’s all this?” Geoff demanded as he stumbled onto the moonlit docks.

Burnie and Ryan quickly parted, Ryan’s eyes widening in surprise, “Captain, this isn’t what it looks like.” The sailor stood tall but glanced down at his partner.

Burnie rolled his eyes, doing his best to turn on the dock to face Geoff, “Actually it is. I’m tired of you holding you saving me after I was harpooned by the royal navy. I got tired of waiting around for you. I found someone who cares about me.”

“Is this true Haywood?” Geoff demanded.

Ryan’s eyes were wide, still in shock but he nodded slowly, “You constantly had me passing along messages you wouldn’t be able to make it. Burnie was hurt so I stayed. Talking. Getting to know him.” Ryan paused, growing confident for a moment, “You don’t love him. I do.”

“You do?” Burnie questioned in shock.

Ryan pulled his gaze from his captain for a moment and nodded, “I do. I love you.”

“I love you,” Burnie confessed.

Ryan face melted into a smiled but it quickly fell as he heard Geoff cock his gun. He turned to see the weapon aimed straight at his face.

Geoff waved the weapon between the two, “You really love each other?”

Burnie nodded. Ryan squeaked out a small yes.

“A shame. We could have had something, “ Geoff told Burnie then turned to his crew member, “And this is just mutiny.”

Geoff pulled the trigger of his gun and Ryan stumbled backward, falling into the water with a large splash.

“No!” Burnie jumped in after his love.

Geoff sighed and holstered his gun, not even glancing back as he turned and made his way back towards his ship.

Burnie swam as fast as he could to get Ryan’s body, surfacing and wiping water and hair out of Ryan’s face, “No. No. No.”

Ryan coughed, spitting out water then chuckled.

“Wha- what?” Burnie asked in disbelief. “Didn’t he hit you? How are you alive?”

Ryan smiled as he sat up in Burnie’s arms, wrapping his own around the merman’s neck, “Geoff’s a terrible shot. Always has been.”

Burnie visibly relaxed and kissed Ryan roughly.

“I thought I lost you,” he gasped pulling away.

“You can’t get rid of me that easily,” Ryan smirked.

“Now what?” Burnie asked.

“Remember that island we talked about. The one for just the two of us,” Ryan raised an eyebrow.

Burnie jumped not expecting anyone else to be around since he had picked this spot specifically since no one would be around for miles.

“I- Sorry, who are you?” he sort of demanded as he looked over to the stranger.

The man was very pale, tall, and he had the most inviting eyes. As he chuckled at the question Burnie made note he also had the most magical laugh as well.

“The name’s Ryan,” he smiled and took a seat close to Burnie but keeping close to the base of the tree, in the shade.

“Well, Ryan,” Burnie tried to appear more threatening as he sat up nice and tall, “I recommend you start running. As far as possible if I was you.” His eyes glanced to the sky once more as the last bit of sunshine was leaving. He could already feel the thick coat of fur coming in. A growl even left his lips as a point to fear him.

Ryan just laughed again and smiled softly before reaching out and grabbing Burnie’s hand as he began to transform.

Burnie stared at him wide eyed as he became a vicious primal animal. The wolf in him taking over. His last memories of the night were the handsome stranger still giving him a warm smile.

When Burnie came to the next morning. He went straight to his cabin grabbing himself some clothes before running out and looking for the remains of Ryan. He searched for several hours and finally gave up, sitting down on his hill.

“Looking for me?” Ryan laughed, taking the same spot as yesterday.

“You. You’re not…?” Burnie stared at him in awe and confusion.

“You’re not the only immortal creature,” Ryan explained with a sly smile.

“I…” Burnie trailed off content with the answer for now.