Brian was a merciful captain, and his crew was a loyal one because of it. They would follow him to the ends of the Earth if Brian asked, would jump in front of a cannonball for the man too.
They all knew Brian would do the same for any of them.
So, maybe that’s what brought them all here; a lonesome little island set out in the middle of the sea, covered in pearly white sand and littered with palm trees. Captain Hanby was currently kicking off his boots and was in the process of rolling up his pants when his first mate, David, sidled up to him and began to do the same.
“Ye wanna tell us what we’re doin’ in the middle of the ocean, Brine?” David asked, eyes squinting against the sun as he looked towards their captain.
But he just smiled- something bright and genuine as he headed for the edge of the ship, David close behind.
“I know th’best treasure lies around these parts.”
The crew all watched with various degrees of fascination as Brian heaved himself up over the side of the ship- and a moment later they all heard the telltale splash that meant he had hit the water. Like lemmings with a horrible curiosity complex, they all followed suit.
Evan ended up face first in the water after Tyler pushed him off- the uproarious laughter drowned out by Brian, who was far too ecstatic for anyone’s liking as he waded towards the sandy shores. It was just their ship that was anchored to the island, so murmurs and questions spread through the crew like wildfire as they followed their leader.
“Ye tink he finally got scurvy and has just gone mad?” David adjusted his now soaked hat and huffed when Anthony just shrugged.
“Maybe he drank seawater, who knows.”
“Aw,” Brock interrupted, his effervescent smile wide on chapped lips. “Be nice, Brian’s never let us down- he said it was treasure; maybe it’s a cursed amulet-”
Delirious started jumping for joy, his ecstatic grin was covered in smudged makeup where the saltwater ran down his face.
“Or-or-or-or-or- gold doublooms!”
“Who knows!” The two shared a smile and laughed, Delirious leaning heavily against Brock as the two giggled with one another.
Evan rolled his eyes and mumbled something about lovebirds before he stopped- dead in his tracks- brown eyes trained on where Brian was currently thigh deep in the water.
And everyone else stopped along with him and stared.
Brian’s heart was beating a mile a minute.
“Hey there, sweet’art.” Warm arms were obviously soaked, but Brian didn’t seem to mind as he held his lover impossibly closer- fingers gently raking against silver scales. The mer giggled against the touch, face tucked into the crook of Brian’s shoulder.
“Hi, Brian.” Eyes as green as an emerald with lashes as dark as sin. They were swimming with adoration as they trailed over Brian’s jaw. “You’ve grown some scruff, hm Captain?”
“It has been a while wit’out me little treasure t’tell me I gotta shave.” Brian nuzzled his beard against Ohm’s face in retaliation- relishing in the squeals it got from the mermaid in his arms.
But the giggles tapered down into a blissful sigh, and Ohm pulled back with a bright grin filled with sharp teeth. He pressed their lips together with fervor; warm and salty and oh so beautiful as the two reunited for the first time what seemed like ages.
Perhaps there was a reason that Brian was always so fond of the sea.