Tales about ocean

Posted originally on the Archive of Our Own at http://archiveofourown.org/works/56936473.

Rating: Mature
Archive Warning: No Archive Warnings Apply
Category: M/M
Fandom: Harry Potter - J. K. Rowling
Relationships: Regulus Black/James Potter, Sirius Black/Remus Lupin
Character: Pandora Lovegood
Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Pirate, regulus black is a mermaid, Funny, Regulus
Black and Sirius Black Angst, Regulus Black is a siren, Sirens, Healthy
Relationships, Fluff, Regulus Black Needs a Hug, The idea for a fic was
a joke but I don’t think it is a joke anymore
Language: English
Stats: Published: 2024-06-26 Updated: 2024-09-16 Words: 11,735 Chapters:
5/8
 Tales about ocean
by The_sunseeker

Summary

Regulus Black is a siren and James is a pirate. Born in different worlds but destined for each
other.

Notes

It is a simple romcom in a fantasy world with some family drama and ocean politics. This
story was made for fun and to heal everyone who is tired of angst in this fandom. Enjoy.

I’m open to criticism and suggestions. if you see mistakes, please let me know because my
English is lame sometimes.

I also draw a comic that started this story (@mita.mkt on insta). Many people were interested
in it, so I wanted to make a text version as well.

Update: I found a beta reader @BlackFenix_bfnx thank you so much for your time!
 Prologue

Regulus just closed his eyes for a minute. Didn't even doze off. All those sleepless nights
sneaking out of the Kingdom from his mother finally took their toll on him. He was
sufficiently bemused by the feeling of safety he finds in the deep waters of the ocean, the
waters he had swum in hundreds of times.
It wasn't the fact that he didn't stay away from the surface when he swam to the ship that got
him there. It was that he didn't notice it at all. Before it was too late.

With a sharp movement, a trap sneaked around his body, wrapping him up completely, and he
found himself out of the pleasant embrace of the sea.
For a moment, he was so afraid that it felt like his throat was closing up, which made
breathing almost impossible. He raised his shining eyes only to be met with the hull of the
ship. His heart fell to his tail. He grabbed the net, tugging at its barbed wire, trying to tear at
least one knot with his claws. And then with his sharp teeth. But none of what he tried was
working. The screeching mechanism brought him up to the main deck where he was met with
the silhouettes of monsters. He had never been so close to them. Humans.

The words of his mother, which she repeated to him since he was old enough to understand,
rang in his head like a bell.

“Humans are the most insidious creatures.”

“Humans only destroy, crush and kill.”
“Humans are despicable, and the worst are sailors. Those should be given as a tribute to the
sea, with a song, for all the ways in which they destroy the ocean.”

Regulus thought for a moment of Sirius, who was always arguing with her, trying to prove
that although they were different, humans were actually much more similar to sirens than
they seemed.

Regulus was thrown painfully onto the wooden floor of the ship. The patterns that he once
looked at from the other side of the ship, from under the water, were now under his fingers.
And as the sharp blades glistening in the moonlight surrounded Regulus he thought that,
unfortunately, Sirius was right. Humans and Sirens were indeed much alike and that was why
he was going to die today, killed by his own stupidity.

His eyes wandered as he tried in vain to get out of the trap. He had, more than once, seen
fishes get caught in it and now he was the one shuddering miserably. An unfamiliar wetness
rolled down his cheeks.

What if Sirius was here ? What would he do ?

Regulus' eyes stopped at the sight of a bright red shirt belonging to a dark-skinned human in
the distance. The man looked at him with pity. Regulus' heart pounded and he felt the anger
rising in his body. If he was going to die, it wouldn’t be under the gaze of a human who pitied
him. If he was destined to die, he would take as many of them as possible with him.

He hissed and then opened his mouth to sing a Death Tune, the last these people would hear,
only to be grabbed by the neck, arms and tail. He couldn’t move an inch, he was trapped
again.
He tried to resist, he struggled quite a bit, but Sirens never won with their muscles. They
defeated their enemies only with their cunning attitudes and deathly voice. But currently,
Regulus was too weak and perseverance didn’t help either.

He was put in a box with transparent walls and filled with water. When he tried to get out
again, they slammed the lid on his head. Regulus winced from the pain and recoiled at the
feeling of the old stagnant seawater he was thrown into. He tried to sing but the deadly words
of the song were just useless bubbles of air. Regulus could feel their brutal laughter even
through the glass and water. That hurt even more than the cut on his tail that he got during the
fight.

Regulus looked at the red spot that was growing in the water. He put his arms around his
neck, only to find that the jeweled necklaces were gone. He clawed at the glass walls,
knocking and hissing when he saw his jewelry in the hands of the sailors, but he was
promptly ignored. His heart was a heavy stone in his ribcage.

He swam up again, he pulled and pushed on the lid and hit the walls with his tail. His cage
seemed to become smaller and smaller. Desperation rushed through his cold veins. He cursed
these people. He cursed his brother, who told him stories about the interesting creatures with
two tails that lived on land and walked on it. He cursed his stupidity. What was he thinking,
swimming so close to the surface just to get a look ? But the worst curses, he left for the boy
in the red rag who was still looking at him with pity through the glasses on his nose.

1 page
 Those eyes
Chapter Notes

Let me know if you notice a mistake please!

James was a Pirate. His parents were too. Euphemia Potter often joked that he was conceived
and born in the sea and that's why he was drawn to the high waters. James could still hear
their united laughter when his mother said that for the last time.

Perhaps his obsession with the secrets of the deep ocean was not entirely healthy, but after the
death of his parents James was left with nothing but the horizon and a craving for sailing as
far from the solid land as the ship could get him. The place that welcomed him with open
arms, danger and a salty taste on his tongue became home.

“We caught one ! Yes ! We caught one !”

James gasped enthusiastically.

A day ago it was just a rumor. Every night, as soon as the clock arrow reached midnight, a
song was heard in this strait, which went directly to the soul of the sailors. Sometimes the
glint of moonlight was reflected on the scales beneath the water when the Mermaid swam too
close to the surface.

James listened shakily to the gossip in the pub. He could hardly contain his exploding joy
when Dumbledore also became interested in the stories.

They stood for about two hours and nothing happened. James peered into the darkness
beneath the dense water, but there was no sign of anything he had seen in the pictures, and no
sound of a melodious voice.

Until this moment.

He ran up, but not too close, so as not to interfere with the sailors pulling the trap.

His breath caught and he swallowed hard, trying to see the monster from behind the noisy
team.

“We need another net !”

“Don't let him move !”

Out of habit, James' fingers went to the gold covered metal that made the pair of sabers on his
belt. They once belonged to his parents and he would give anything to have them share this
moment with him. He inherited his love for the unknown from them. It’s because of the
stories they told him at night-time that he began to dream of telling his own.
It would be about a hero who defeats a monster. About a pirate looking for adventure and
fearlessly looking into the eyes of danger.

Today was supposed to bring him closer to his dream.

But when he met those eyes, eyes the color of the pure ocean, a sparkling gaze, he hesitated.
Heroism wavered, in search of an evil to fight but finding only the fear of a defenseless
creature. James' heart dropped.

He looked at Dumbledore, who was standing nearby, also looking at the scene unfolding
before their eyes : a frightened Siren, thrashing and dragging a net, bumping into the sharp
and blunt blades of pirates enjoying the suffering of their prey. But on the Captain's face there
was not a shadow of the ambiguity that boiled in James’ blood.

James was confused. He knew how to face the enemy, but he could not see it in this creature.
His saber suddenly became too heavy. What would his mother and father do ?

Two strong men were thrown back by the Siren's tail. Blood spread in a spot on the wooden
deck. Then they picked up the creature from behind, clamping his neck and finally throwing
him into a cage made of the strongest glass that could be made.

The strikes of the Siren against the walls of its cage became even more desperate. James
couldn't hear, drowned out by the laughter and shouts of the crew. He couldn’t look either so
he turned away.

“Your love for these stories has finally played its part.” Dumbledore appeared right at his
shoulder.

“Yeah, yeah…” James nodded. Somewhere deep down he felt self-satisfaction and a desire to
laugh in the face of everyone who scoffed at his tales. But these thoughts were distant and
dim. “Although, he doesn’t look like the description in the stories. Doesn't look like a
monster, right ?”

Dumbledore's satisfied smile was replaced by just a millimeter of concern. James sensed the
change in his thoughts and pursed his lips into a line.

“Don't let that fool you. Sirens are monsters that have already killed hundreds of sailors.” A
deceptively calm voice enveloped James, making him feel safe. But in the recesses of his
memory he knew that it was only a trick.

“Of course, Dumbledore.” James tried to sound careless, even though he knew he was bad at
faking it. “I know that, I just thought about what would happen to… it when we got to the
land.”
The first evidence of the existence of Sirens. Experiments by scientists would be the best
option. But what fate actually awaited this creature ? James feared that it was the same as any
fish.

“Your heart is soft like your mother’s was, but that’s why she died.” Dumbledore breathed
out in the tone he had always used since James became an orphan. There was disappointment
in it, although he seemed the same as always. “Don't repeat her fate. You have the potential to
be my first mate.”

Dumbledore didn't wait for his answer. James stared blankly at the Siren, listening to the
Captain's footsteps fade away, the sound echoing in his head.

***

The snoring of his companions next to him never disturbed James' sleep. He turned his head
to Fabian, who was directly above him in the hammock, completely calm, dreaming.

Then he closed his eyes tighter. But the banging and clapping did not stop.

This is the sea.

“It's just the sea.”
This is the sea.

No matter how many times he repeated it, in his head or out loud, he knew that the sound
coming from the deck was in fact from a prison cell creaking quietly when the waves rocked
the ship too much. And the soft knocking was the creature's attempt to get out of the cramped
cage.

He heard Gideon's footsteps on the stairs to the bathroom. Sleepy thoughts became louder. If
the only guard on duty is not on the deck, then it would be empty.

Two minutes. His only chance.

James grabbed the kerosene lamp and ran up the stairs as quietly as possible. He took a deep
breath, forcing his wild heart to slow down.

It was just to take a look. Nothing more.

He struck the match three times and only then did the light appear.

The deck hummed with an unnatural silence, as if the ocean was about to unleash its wrath on
them. And in the sea there is nowhere to hide.

The Moon came out from behind the clouds and James saw eyes staring at him with fury.
They were of a stunning color that James had never seen on anyone else. Pride, anger and
disappointment raged in the intense gaze of the creature.
He sat down next to the dirty glass. The Siren hit it with his claws menacingly but only made
barely visible scratches. James flinched at the creaking and unconsciously reached for the
other's palm, but the pads of his fingers were met with flat coldness.

“Hey, ready to get out of here ?”

James didn't know why or how those words came out of him, but he now realized that his
mind was already made the moment he chose to leave his hammock.

The Siren looked at his fingers, and then their eyes met and James knew he was looking for
signs of deception. James didn't know if Sirens actually understood humans, but he knew that
in the moonlight, all that could be read on his face in any language was genuine sadness and
compassion.

James turned back to Gideon's bag, which he had left by the helm. The key was lying next to
it. He looked around again, looking for the return of the guard, but there was no one.

The chains rattled freeing the free spirit. James quickly dropped the lid, looking around to see
if anyone had snuck up behind him. But then all the fear and confusion disappeared.

The Siren grabbed the cage handrail with a sharp sloshing sound and jumped out of the water
with his upper body. James felt dizzy from the looming shadow as he looked up. He was
scared for a moment, that the monster would grab him by the throat and he would die on the
spot. But no one attacked him. Water was dripping from the face of the attractive… man ? It
seemed to James that it was charged with electricity because when a drop touched his skin, it
burned, running down his chin and neck.

How many sailors has he already seduced and killed ? James wondered. Was he using his
charms on him right now ?

The agitated water splashed and stained his shirt. Cold tickled his stomach, but James paid it
no mind. He gripped the wooden handrail and looked into his ocean eyes, in which there was
such lightness, hope, and happiness that he could not bring himself to utter a word. He looked
like a human. Not bloodthirsty, as told on the pages of books, but seductive. And interested,
like James.

James felt exposed as he was scrutinized with those eyes for a long second. The realization
that they were from two different worlds and could destroy the border separating them with
just a touch took his breath away. There were so many questions in his head that were
bursting out with curiosity, but he could only utter one in time :

“Your name ? Tell-”

“Regulus.”

And James couldn’t move.

Regulus gently sat down on the side of the cage and turned his head toward the ocean, as if
giving James a second to recover. And then, without looking back, he rolled over it and
jumped out of the ship with a loud splash.

“Wait, Regulus !”

James ran to the edge of the board, crashing his body into wood, but the miracle was gone. It
was as if everything that had just happened was a delusion. But the voice ? That did not
disappear from his head, it was too real. He didn’t know how long he stared into the depths,
hoping to see a glint. But he knew that now, he would never be able to live without looking
for it anymore.

His wandering was interrupted by a voice that was the opposite of the husky sweet one he
couldn't stop thinking about.

“I'm disappointed, James.”

Dumbledore was no longer hiding his rage.

“You're just like your mother, you-”

“Yes.” Jaime nodded. “And I don’t regret it.”

The old man's eyebrows furrowed at James' tone.

“Out of respect for your parents, I will do you one last favor. I will drop you off at the nearest
port, and I won’t kill you. But remember Potter, don't ever catch my eye again. You will
regret your choice and its consequences.”

James said nothing. No matter how much his parents loved Dumbledore, James always knew
that being his first mate would never be a role that suited him.
 Chapter 3

James thought about Regulus again. Too often lately. It was as if he had gone back two years,
and admiration and curiosity flashed, burning away all other thoughts. But he was no longer
that idiotic boy, although he seems to have done something stupid again.

Sirius was waiting for him, with Remus and Peter, in the port on James’ pirate ship, which he
had acquired by all sorts of rights and wrongs. The day he got it was the first time he felt
truly happy for the after the death of his parents. James sighed. But it doesn’t matter how
long his team waits, he won’t come.

He was born in the sea and was destined to die there. James really hoped it wouldn't happen
so quickly. He is still too young. Apparently, he already managed to find a few enemies and
become famous for stupid deeds, but not enough. Not that many stories have been written
about him yet. There were still so many finds and pranks to experience with the team ahead.
There were still lots of things to do.

James still hadn't found Regulus either. Although two years had already passed.

And now he will never find him again.

He was unlucky enough to board a merchant ship that was captured by pirates as
unscrupulous as him.

“Move, move !”

“Sharks won’t like you being late !”

James twisted the rope around his wrist but it was too hard, too painful. His skin was already
turning red with the friction. His legs became more shaky as he was pushed onto a thin board
that was mostly out of the boat, an unsteady platform above the raging sea, just by the bow of
the ship. He tried to keep his balance, as if he wouldn't have to fall in a few seconds anyway.
As if every moment was worth fighting for.

“Guys, let's talk first ?” he tried to smile over his shoulder, his signature nonchalant grin, but
he didn't charm anyone. “You don't know who I am. Aren't you interested ?”

“Wait !” shouted a pirate, and James felt a spark of hope. “Take off his earrings. They might
be valuable.”

His gold earrings were removed from him. James frowned, looking in the eyes of a strong
man twice his width and stood, his head held high as he was stripped of all his valued
possessions.

“And his necklace.”

“This is wooden garbage on a string, let it go to the bottom with him.”

James snorted.

“What is your shoe size ?” asked the pirate in front of him.

James remained silent, with all his dignity. When he was pushed back onto the board, now
barefoot, he closed his eyes.

Sirius was right, James shouldn’t have left without him. He just heard a vague rumor about a
siren near the rocks and wanted to check if it was Regulus. But no. The rumor turned out to
cost no more than a button on his shirt. And what was he even thinking about ? What would
he say to Regulus even if he really was there ?

Sirius was right, searching for the siren with whom you spoke with, one word, was pointless.
Maybe that's why James didn't tell his best friend where he really went. He knew that Sirius
knew more about sirens than he did and he knew what a prickly logic he had. None of his
arguments would be listened to. How could he convince his friends if even he had a hard time
understanding why he was here ?

James won’t be so stubborn next time. There won't be a next time at all.

The board creaked and it wobbled harder, like the lifeline of the young pirate. The impact of
falling in the water hurt. James held his breath, hoping to survive just a bit longer, but every
time he tried to push himself up with his legs, the rope tightened more and he sank down,
lower and lower. To the darkness that once took his parents.

The cold water seemed to hold him in its gentle embrace, slowing down his mind. Hos
movements became weaker, there was no way out.

For the first time in his life, James couldn't worm his way out of trouble. His heart was
beating fearfully in his chest, its last pulses.

James closed his eyes, listening to the sea, to the last sounds of his life, but there was nothing
but deafening silence. It pained him to think that his parents felt the same way when that
bloody storm killed them.

And then there was a delirious whisper in his ears that James hadn't heard in a long time, but
he decided that it was his subconscious playing games with his mind, which wanted to lead
him into nothingness with something more pleasant than asphyxiation.

Before he had time to wave to his parents and the darkness took him, his eyes closing,
becoming eternal, James felt life breathed into him.

***

Humans need air. Regulus knew that. He and Sirius were still small when they went on their
usual evening swim to the shores. It was dark, they couldn’t be seen, but they had sharper
vision than humans so they could look. The drowning sailor was dragged to the pier, his
savior desperately calling for someone named “Doctor”. And when that man appeared, he
saved the man with his mouth.
“That's how they transfer air.” Sirius explained confidently.

Regulus looked at his brother skeptically.

“Why ? Doesn’t he have enough of it ?” he waved his hand, referring to the space around
him.

“No, he just gulped down some water.”

“So what ?” Regulus still couldn't understand.

“Reggie, humans can't breathe underwater !” Sirius said as if it was the most obvious thing in
the world.

Even after all this time, Regulus could still feel the confusion from that day and hear Sirius'
surprised voice in his head, as if his younger brother said something silly or more likely
stupid.

Be that as it may, Regulus knew now that humans need air to live. He pulled to the shore a
person he never thought he would ever see from such a close distance again. He anxiously
slapped his tail at the wave that was moving away from them and would soon return. But he
couldn’t drag the man further from the water, where he felt defenseless.

“Hey, human ?”

No answer. The pirate lay unnaturally still. Regulus looked at his hair and features, they had
changed in time. He finally had the opportunity to repay the life debt that his mother had told
them to never have since childhood. He finally had the opportunity to put an end to this
miserable story and forget it. Get rid of this person who, against all of Regulus’ beliefs, going
against all his mother's stories, was selflessly kind to him two years ago.

Regulus touched the tanned man's chin, unintentionally playing with the short hair on his jaw
and under his nose. Regulus always wondered what it felt like, sirens had no beards.
Surprisingly, it wasn’t as thick as he imagined. Fascinating.

Regulus shook his head, he couldn't let his curiosity and obsession with human knowledge
get to him. He also suddenly remembered that his mother could already be combing the
plains of the water in search of him, if she noticed his disappearance during the day. Regulus
pulled himself closer, almost laying on top of the pirate's wet torso. He fixed his hands near
the wet short brown hair, in the dry sand. Regulus tried to recall that day of sneaking out with
Sirius more clearly in his mind.

Humans need air.

He inhaled as deeply as he could and then blew it all into the splitted soft lips. The man still
wasn’t breathing. Regulus pinched his nose with his fingers and then blew again, this time
keeping the air from passing through the slits, pressing his whole face and body as hard as he
could so that every ounce went straight into the helpless human’s lungs. Then again and
again. And one more time.
“How much air do you need ?” he thought aloud desperately, when a soft whimper escaped
the soft lips as he approached them.

Regulus looked at the twitching face, but the man seemed to still be asleep for a moment.
Regulus pulled away he blew out a trembling breath in relief, letting all the tension out of his
body. He fixed his eyes on the human face with strong curiosity and excitement he hadn’t felt
in a long time.

***

The salt water in his throat made him rise, but his muscles protested. James turned his head
and spat out all the water he could. Sand got into his eye for a moment, but a quick blink
seemed to help. But neither this unpleasant feeling, nor the tingling in the throat, drowned out
the warmth on the lips.

James opened his eyes and looked into the clearly worried expression above him, which for
some reason was full of… happiness and relief ? James didn't know why, but he smiled too.
Finally, he’d found him. Regulus. Two years were not in vain.

“Human, why did you jump to the sharks with your hands tied ?”

James was struck by memories, the blackness of the depths that had dragged him down only
a moment ago. He shuddered. He had died. He died.

“Did I ? Maybe I'm in heaven ?” he thought fearfully. He never was very religious and didn’t
think a lot about the afterlife, but if some kind of place for good people existed, his parents
were there.

“I'm not sure what heaven is…”

He heard muttering, realizing that the words had come out of his mouth without his
permission. Regulus kept his eyes on him. James heard him so clearly that doubt crept into
his mind. The sand stung his back, and his shirt stuck to his body along with the cold. James
didn't feel dead.

“Regulus, it's you ! You saved me !”

James pushed himself up on his elbows, the heavy weight of the siren on him gone as
Regulus stepped to the side, and the wind made him shiver. He had a horrible headache, but it
seemed to progressively subside, against the background of the rapid beating of his heart.

“Yes, I guess I did.” Regulus looked away, tucking wet hair behind his ear. “I was swimming
nearby by accident.” Regulus lied, as if he hadn't rushed out of the house as soon as he heard
Kreacher's call, whom he'd left behind to spy on the man. “I saw you and decided to help you
get to the nearest dry land and give you some air.”

James, still not believing his senses, opened his mouth. Then he quickly covered it, touching
the pads of his fingers to them.

“You… gave me air ?” he thought in panic.

“There's a village nearby, there should be a doctor…” James strained to listen to Regulus as
he pointed to the wound on his arm. It was as if he had to maintain two conversations at the
same time : one with his savior and the other inside his head. Sirius had never told him much
about Siren culture, but what was “giving air” supposed to mean ? He needs to know,
urgently ! Is it even polite to ask directly ? It was almost as though he was sinking again and
the only way to save him was to know the fucking answer immediately. Did he miss his first
kiss or not ?

“Well, for the future, don't jump into the shark's nest again.” the Siren continued to mutter.
“And it's time for me to go before anyone notices my disappearance.”

James took two seconds longer to absorb the information. How did Regulus get the
impression that he might want to repeat the experience of drowning voluntarily ? Except for
the part with “air transfer”, whatever that meant.

The splash was so loud that James finally felt the water drain from his ears. Regulus turned in
one swift motion and reached for the water with the cold wave that washed over them.

“Wait ! Regulus !” James shuddered as the water touched his foot. He felt a strong sense of
deja vu. Where did the mysterious creature have to go again ? They just met again ! It wasn’t
fair. “When... When will I meet you again ?” his voice sounded pitiful even for him. He
couldn’t control the fear of repeating that moment again.

Regulus, who was ready to dive into the water, stopped.

“I've paid my debt, so probably never.” he said, his tone uncertain.

They looked into each other's eyes for a moment, speechless conversation again, like that day
when the glass of Regulus' cage stood between them.

Think James. Do something.

The word “never” was fucking awful to his ears.

“I don't know why,” he exhaled heavily, “but I know that I shouldn't let you go again like
this. Please stay a little longer.”

The only thing he was capable of saying didn’t sound convincing, even to him.

Regulus swam a little closer, then stopped himself. He shook his head and turned back
around.

James felt as if someone had grabbed his heart and squeezed it. Although no one was looking
at him, he forced himself to smile in order not to feel so lost and abandoned. Why would
Regulus want to stay ? He didn’t owe him anything. Not anymore apparently. Obviously he
had more fascinating things to do. In the dark depths of his soul appeared the silhouette of a
lonely child that James never wanted to be again.

“But tomorrow…”
James jerked his head up.

“Tomorrow at midnight, perhaps I'll be swimming near this island again…”

With a splash, Regulus was gone, flicking his tail so that the spray landed on James. Laughter
escaped his throat, though it still tingled through the salt water.

“I'm charming after all.” he said to himself.

James rested a little longer before finally getting up. He was able to shake some sand off his
already half-dry clothes, but not all of it. It didn't bother him much anymore though. He was
just thinking about how he would tell Sirius about everything that had just happened to him
and what was yet to happen. He didn't know what exactly, but he expected it, as if looking at
an unexpected island that appeared on the horizon, but which was not on the maps. Stomping
loudly, he started heading towards the forest behind the beach.

There was indeed a village. Big enough to find a pawn shop. James greeted everyone warmly
and smiled as if he were a local and had known these people for a long time. A nice girl
showed him the way to his goal.

The man behind the shop counter gave his bare, dirty feet a not-so-pleasant look. James gave
a sunny smile in return, playing with his eyebrows, but the man was not impressed. This trick
always worked better when he was with Sirius.

James reached for his wooden deer pendant. It was a gift from Remus, who was always
carving something out of wood in his spare time. James was going to thank him because that
was bloody brilliant. Those pirates took a look at it and called it trash and now this thing was
going to save him. James easily separated the pendant and a diamond rolled out from the
middle onto the table in front of the man.

“How much will you pay for it ?” he winked playfully.

After long negotiations, James managed to get enough money to send a letter to his friends in
a port in England, which turned out to be a few days' away, and a bag of nutrients for two or
three days. Although it was possible that he would eat everything faster. Approaching death
made him hungry like a beast. He stood up and started walking but didn’t go to the hotel.

James turned to the shore and flopped down on the sand, waiting.
 Chapter 4
Chapter Notes
See the end of the chapter for notes

“Pandora !” Regulus swam up in a hurry, taking his place next to his friend, on the small reef
in the corner of the open hall of the castle where Walburga was receiving her guests. “Did
anyone notice ?”

“No.” the girl shook her head. “Your mother was too busy negotiating with Voldemort to
think about you.” she said softly.

Regulus nodded, thoughtfully looking at the colorful glitter of scales and corals and pearl
ornaments of the loud chattering crowd of Sirens : most of them were dancing, with braided
tails, to the sounds of strings and singing. The fish couldn’t leave the castle, as if
mesmerized, hypnotized by laughter and melodic singing voices. Even the algae seemed to
sway and bend in their direction, wanting to be closer to the cluster. No one really paid
attention to Regulus. After thinking a little, he decided that it was a good thing.

He couldn't even blame anyone, it's just that celebrations happened so rarely in this wretched
place that even he wouldn't pay attention to himself if he was someone else.
But today's reception didn’t even really have the purpose of cheering up the Sirens who had
been put off by his mother, the supreme ruler of the Noble Black Lagoon.

Many of the faces in the crowd were completely unfamiliar to Regulus. But they were
connected by the same black marks on their arms, visible from afar, and darker scales on their
tails. Regulus wondered if he was the only one whose tail twitched at the rumors that were
only told in whispers, during the night. Voldemort's Death Eaters were far from the crevices
of the deep ocean where the Siren groups lived peacefully, hiding their existence from
humanity and having nothing to do with them. Death Eaters were not even the Sirens who
bewitched sailors in the full moon and sacrificed their hearts to the sea, as they did in their
Lagoon. They were more dangerous to ships than storms were. They were the Bermuda
Triangle.

His mother had been talking about these visitors from the nearby ocean for a long time, but
Regulus wanted to keep on living in blissful ignorance. So, for a long time, he ignored the
dark whispers.

Pandora looked at him expectantly, patiently waiting for him to stop his intense thinking. Her
blonde hair with shells woven into it followed her as she spun around him. Regulus pretended
not to notice her curiosity as he focused on the beautiful carvings on the stone floor of the
castle below them.

“Are you gonna tell me where you were ? Spying on that human again ?”

Regulus put a finger to his mouth and hissed, wild-eyes looking around, but the other Sirens
were still ignoring them.
“Quiet !” he emphasized, swimming even further from the crowd and pulling his friend along
with him. “It was an emergency.” he sighed with bubbles. Last time, when he refused to tell
Pandora about his absence, she tortured him with questions for a month. Besides, she already
knew about the human and still hadn't told anyone. He could trust her. “I left Kreacher to
watch over that human. It would be too suspicious if I sneaked out too often to do it myself.
And when he saw him dying, he called me so I had to go, I had to make sure he lived.”

Pandora exhaled in delight, and then grabbed Regulus by the cheeks.

“You should’ve taken me with you, !” she frowned, disappointed. “Or at least bring me his
corpse for my experiments !”

Regulus swam away from her and folded his arms over his chest, annoyed at the thought that
Pandora might be studying James' entrails, just like those poor drowned men she kept hidden
in her abandoned cave.

“There is no corpse, I saved him !” he said, feeling like it was the most obvious thing in the
world.

The carefree smile disappeared from the blonde's face, replaced by confusion. She didn't
move for a moment, then shook her head and the hair behind her got even more tangled. Her
eyes became more serious, anxious. Regulus looked away.

“You did what ?! Merlin ! I wont judge… she said softly. “But I won’t lie either, I'm worried.
Talking with humans is one thing, but saving them ? If your mother finds out, she will kick
you out of a castle like she did with your brother. Or even worse…” she said doomfully, as if
she had already seen a picture of it before her eyes.

Regulus stopped himself from wrapping his tail around her and reassuring her, telling her that
he would never let it happen. but he didn't want to lie either.

“Now that she has decided to cooperate with Voldemort, our territory is even more
dangerous. Not only for human ships, but also for us.” Pandora's voice was full of
disapproval for their ruler's policy. “You can't sneak out anymore. Forget about the human.”

Regulus rolled his eyes. Pandora was the one who constantly examined the sunken ships and
dragged all the human trash to her house, for which she could also be accused of more than
one crime. Was she going to stop doing her life's work ? How could she lecture him about
this ? Why did no one ever believe that he was willing to take risks too ?

Regulus felt a flood of unwanted memories of his brother again. That night, three years ago,
when their lives changed forever. Sirius had come to him as usual at midnight and said those
words, Regulus still heard them in his dreams. ‘Will you always be afraid of our mother,
Reggie ?’

Regulus tried to shake the voice from his head.

“He wasn’t kicked out, he left.” he told Pandora instead. “And I know my mother has plans
for me.” Regulus said. His anger was boiling in his blood because he didn't want to be wrong
and stubborn, but that's exactly how he felt. Kreacher landed on his back with his paws. The
presence of at least someone that was forever on his side was reassuring. “But I think I'm not
afraid of her anymore.”

***

Regulus had always found nighttime underwater unsettling. Or maybe not always, but at least
since Sirius left. All the corals in their tank became duller. Then it became harder for Regulus
to fall asleep in the castle.

At some point during the night he heard voices. He swam to his bedroom’s entrance, which
had a perfect view of the lagoon. A group of Sirens and Death Eaters, along with his mother,
was leaving the castle. The moon wasn’t yet full, but Regulus knew they were going hunting.
So far, Regulus had been lucky enough, allowed to be an observer several times and not
having to participate. But his twentieth birthday was about to catch up with him and he kept
waiting for his mother to come for him. Tonight apparently wasn’t the day and he felt
relieved.

Sirius had promised him that he wouldn't let that happen to them, that they could choose what
they wanted to do and what they didn’t, but now Sirius wasn't here and Regulus had to make
his own decisions. What should he do when he has to face his duty ?

Regulus had no human clocks, he knew how to look at the surface of the water, from which
the light of the moon came, and determine the time, as his brother taught him.
Kreacher, curled up next to him, tried to pull him back to his soft nest of royal seaweed, but
Regulus told him to stay asleep and pretend everything was fine.

Regulus already knew for sure where all the posts of the Sirens in his mother's guard were,
but today it was even easier to slip through the corridors of the deserted castle. He sometimes
had to stop by the broken walls of stone to make sure no one was out in the lagoon at night,
but Regulus quickly left the reef and found himself in the empty, dark, endless ocean. His tail
began to move faster, he didn’t want to linger in this space for too long. He wasn’t afraid of
what was there, but he was afraid of the loneliness and cold that came from the bottom of the
ocean. Besides, he didn't know where the Death Eaters might be right now, so it was better to
avoid the open area.

Regulus swam to the island, in minutes, covering miles.

Weed rose only enough for him to be able to leave his eyes out of the water without being too
obvious. His hair, which floated smoothly in the water, stuck to the surface, hiding his shiny
skin.

James was still a Human, he could still be leading a crowd of people to put him back in that
horrible box. But the beach was empty, no pitchforks or fires on which he could be burned, as
people did with everything unknown. Regulus was relieved and smiled.

His life was boring. He constantly felt trapped, even in the boundless oceans. But now he felt
free, as if the door of his cage had opened. Whether it was a stupid decision or simply an
opportunity to get out, he was afraid but also excited to know more. But when he saw a figure
on the shore, wandering across the sand and toward the rocks, he made a choice. He left his
cell.

As soon as the pirate saw him, he ran to the water. Regulus felt more confident when he saw
the friendly face. His heart twitched. The Human, James, was really waiting for him, he could
see in those slightly squinted eyes that he was thinking about him.

They stared at each other for a few seconds and then Regulus decided to break the awkward
silence.

“Here, your strange nose accessory…” he quickly handed James the gold glasses. Regulus
wasn't particularly worried about it when he was rescuing James. But the current didn't carry
it as far as he thought and, luckily enough, it was on the bottom of the ocean, where Regulus
could easily spot it. “You always wear it so I assumed you like it a lot and would like for
them to be returned to you.”

James gasped. He took it, touching Regulus’s hand lightly and laughed happily, amazed.
Regulus proudly thought about how good a decision he made when he took the thing. He felt
an unusual heat on his cold cheeks.

“You saved my life, again !” James said, oblivious to Regulus' confusion. “You have no idea
how bad it was without them. My lovely glasses… I don't simply like them, I very much need
them !”

Regulus listened. Sirens had nothing like that.

“Why ?”

“They’re for my defective vision. They help me see how beautiful…” the Human suddenly
looked straight into his eyes, “the world is.” he finished.

Regulus didn't quite understand why James continued to look at him as if seeing him for the
first time.

“Do you want to try them on ?”

Regulus shrugged, uncertain, but James had already taken the thing off again and was
holding it up to his face. Regulus had just bent down when the picture in the glasses became
sharp and strange. He recoiled, eyes wide in shock. James laughed.

“Sirens don't have visual impairments ? This is a very common problem for people.”

Regulus didn’t fully understand what that meant but he surprisingly wanted to hear more. He
swam closer to the rock James was sitting on and propped himself up on his elbows into a
more comfortable position, sensing that he was going to stay here longer than he had
planned.

“Tell me more about your low vision, Human.” his voice was unusually soft but still a bit
mocking. He tilted his head with a little challenge in his eyes.
James, knowingly or not, moved closer too.
 “I'd be happy to tell you whatever you wish to know…” said James with a smile. “But on the
condition that you start calling me James. That’s my name.”
Regulus knew his name, of course. He had heard different people call him that more than
once, but he nodded.

“Fine. James.”

Chapter End Notes

Share your thoughts about the chapter in the comments 🍓

 Your world
Chapter Summary

Their fluffy days before angst

Chapter Notes

UNEDITED YET

Does anyone know why I can’t add picture from Pinterest or insta in the chapter? I
wanted to add my art comic pages and I followed the instructions I found but it didn’t
work anyway.

Pandora gave him strange knowing look, but Regulus deftly ignored it.

The next day he went to see James again. The pirate's name was so sweet that Regulus
wanted to say it more often. Sometimes he did it twice in a sentence, which might seem
strange, but James didn't focus on that. Perhaps this is the norm for humans.

Regulus tried to swim up behind and inconspicuously. This time he again managed to catch
James off guard and scare him a little, even though he was expecting him. A pleased smile
appeared on Regulus' face. He pulled himself up with his hands on the stones on the shore to
sit down more comfortably. He dipped his tail into the water, splashing James a bit.

“Hey!” James folded his arms across his chest in feigned displeasure, and then Regulus
finally noticed the strange object in his hands.

"It's a mirror, I found it here on the shore," James hastened to tell. “Not so precious, but
ancient, handmade, a non-white ruby ​set in the handle. I would trade at a pawn shop or even
better at an antique dealer I know, who is an appreciator of such things.”
Regulus didn't understand half of what James was talking about, but he took the ancient-
looking thing from his hands and flinched a little at the clarity of his image that caught him
by surprise. In fact, he had already seen such a thing when Pandora pulled him out to
investigate a sunken ship

“I don't understand how it works. There is no water in it to reflect,” he muttered. Sometimes

it seemed to Regulus that humans used magic too.

James was not an expert in any science but the sea. But he liked the way Regulus looked at
him when he talked about human quirks, so as best he could he began to explain everything
he remembered about the absorption and reflection of light.

Regulus studied the mirror carefully, as if looking for some evidence of James's lie.

“So people created a mirror to look at their terrible faces every day? What is the point?” he
asked thoughtfully.

James couldn't help but laugh. There was no sign of a grudge in him, because if Regulus
wanted to, he could scorn his entire race and James would let him.

“I... You know what, you're right! Therefore, it is better to take it for yourself. You're
beautiful, that would make more sense to you, wouldn't it?” His cheeks began to turn red, and
his hands began to fidget. “Count it as a gift from me.” He said carelessly.

Regulus thought for a moment, trying unsuccessfully to remember the last time he had
received a gift. He wanted to take the mirror, even if he didn't really need the thing. But
everything human was foreign and noticeable in his world. The only place he could hide it
was in Pandora's cave, where she would take it for her experiments, or in her room, where his
mother might make an unexpected visit.

Regulus smiled at James and thanked him, not having the strength to refuse. He wanted
something tangible, something from James that would preserve his memories and even
through the years help him find confirmation that everything here wasn't fiction at all, in case
one day their meetings will stop. More precisely, not if, but when.
But before that happened, Regulus planned to gather enough memories to keep himself warm
and not fear the seasons of cold currents. It seemed too hopeful and naive, but Regulus
couldn't help his thoughts. James is the only person whose inner fire was burning around him
with such force that even the ocean had to try to put it out.

***

Next day Regulus brought a gift to the meeting.

The moon was dim this night so James leaned in to take a closer look. His eyes widened as he
saw the caught fish in Regulus' mouth. He left it on the shore and dived back under the water.
In a few minutes he returned with two more. All three had unusual shapes and bright colors.
James knew he hadn't tasted any of them before. And have not even heard of such a species.
And he is a pirate who has sailed in more than one sea!

“It is difficult for fishermen to reach them, they live in deserted places not far from larger
predators that people avoid.” Regulus explained.

James thought about how fast Regulus was swimming to cover miles in minutes. To get him
fish from another sea so easily, because it is, according to the siren, a tastier delicacy than
what floats around the island. His heart melted.

Although Regulus didn't understand why James didn't want to eat raw fish, James was
determined to follow the fire sticks into the woods. He grabbed everything he saw, and then
walked as quickly as he could along the sand to the shore with a bundle of brushwood.

The night air on the way back was oppressive with its silence and tinged with an anxiety that
James couldn't shake. Today, for the first time, he became aware of the subtlety of their
meetings. Today, Regulus arrived about half an hour later than usual, but in those long thirty
minutes James went through all the stages of grief and sorrow. Tomorrow Regulus might not
show up at all and James would just have to accept it and live on.

James's heart began to slow down to normal only when he saw a silhouette of the siren who
had been waiting for him. There was no particular reason to think that Regulus could
suddenly snap and run away without saying goodbye. The fact that he often looked beyond
the horizon into the depths was not a sufficient reason to wrap himself in fear, but James's
excitement did not disappear. It’s only hid for a short time when the siren's smile illuminated
him again.

He had to convince Regulus to want to stick around. Given his reputation as one of the best
cooks on their team, he decided to start conquering with this skill.

The pirate was looking at the alive fish on the rock in thought when he noticed that they were
too calm. When did fish lay so still, did not rush back to the water, as if it was not afraid to
become dinner. They might have been affected by the long stay on land, but in fact, Regulus
had already brought them that way. Humble. Perhaps it was because of Regulus' presence? Is
there some kind of hierarchy in the underwater world?

Regulus visibly tensed as James voiced the thought. It was not the first time he had dodged
questions about the nature of sirens and their abilities. James examined the fish once more
and suddenly remembered the legendary song of the sirens. They were fascinated by her. It
made sense if the fairy tales were at least partially true. He had never discussed it with Sirius
either, but only because his friend had disowned everything inhuman about himself and
James couldn't pressure him with his curiosity if he wanted to keep him on his team. But
Regulus was different, he was proud of his ancestry. James looked at him. Regulus dug
thoughtfully in the sand and ignored him.

Usually James was bad at reading rooms but… A sense of Regulus' distance that was so
strong and unpleasant in the conversation made James not confirm his guess and refrain from
asking Regulus to sing to him. Maybe one day he will be more ready.

"The fire finally got hot enough to cook," James clapped his hands instead.

Regulus's shoulders relaxed a little, but his scowl did not leave his face, even though they
were now directed at the fire.

"Are you sure it won't spoil the fish? You can eat easily it like that.”
James smiled enigmatically and shook his head. He would never forget the look on Sirius's
face as he developed a huge obsession with frying absolutely everything the first time he
tried hot snacks.

“ You'll see. You will like it.”

And James didn't lie. Regulus timidly took a bite with great doubt and let out a pleasantly
surprised chuckle. The temperature on his tongue worked wonders and he didn't like the taste
of the fish so much as the unfamiliar warmth in his throat and stomach. And the crust has
never tasted and crunched so deliciously. Regulus took another bite.

James smiled smugly in admiration. And while his fish burned behind him, his eyes focused
on the siren's fingers: longer with claws and a membrane that was more visible than that of
humans, but his movements did not look clumsy at all. Pretty opposite.

Next time, James planned to bring something tasty ingredients from the village so they could
roast it over the fire again. Did sirens eat vegetables? And the meat? Sirius could be one
weirdo. What if Regulus didn't like it? He said he didn't know for sure what it was, so James
eventually decided it needed to be fixed.

With thoughts of exploring Regulus' taste buds, James lay down on the sand. His legs and
pants were dry after being submerged in the water and now the breeze didn't seem so cold.
Regulus was still gnawing on the bones of the fish. His shiny, perfect skin shimmered with
the firelight and peace that James wanted to wrap himself in.

James looked at the fading stars in the dawn sky and wondered if he had ever felt the same
fluttering in his chest and sadness at the separation between them when he and Sirius had
met. The answer came quickly - no. Regulus is special. Perhaps special in exactly the way
that James craved and feared.

***

When Regulus emerged this time at their already permanent place, he reared in surprise.
James handed him something that looked like coral, but when he took it in his hand it was
much softer.

"It's a flower," James said.

"No it's not," Regulus shook his head. “I saw flowers, they are different. White and…
different”

James laughed loudly as if Regulus had told the funniest joke he had ever heard.

“There is a lot of types of flowers. You have probably seen others, but these are called roses.
They do not grow close to the shores, but in fields and near houses.”

Regulus touched something sharp and dropped the flower sharply on the stone.

“Oh no” James grabbed his palm in fright, “I thought I removed all the spikes.”

James unconsciously raised Regulus' hand to his lips. He kissed the place of a wound. And
again. This was his mother took away his pain as a child. With a thousand apologies, he
finally opened his eyes and looked into the eyes of the silent Regulus.

James open his mouth when he realised how odd Regulus must feel because of his
movements. James did it with his friends as a joke all the time but Regulus didn’t know that.
James hair almost turn gray when he played the worst scenario of possible sirens reactions.

"Thank you for the flower," hesitantly said Regulus instead. He looked up at the pirate's
disheveled hair for a moment and then smiled.

Regulus broke off a stem under the leaves of which more thorns could be hidden and fastened
a short flower behind James's ear. He'd seen people do that to daisies, but his theory that roses
looked good in hair too was confirmed. All the more so that any colors suited James.
Especially fiery ones. Especially passionate.
"Do all humans have such soft hair or is it only you," Regulus's soft voice would have been
over the lapping waves if he hadn't been so close.

James felt his cheeks heat up and couldn't held the nervous laugh in his chest.

***

The next day, a handful of disgusting black wet leaves was in the palm of Regulus.

“You said that you wanted to see the world through my eyes. These are magical algae. If you
eat it, you will be able to breathe underwater for a while.”

James wanted to swear, but only hummed thoughtfully with a half-hearted thank you. The
algae had an awful smell, and James was skeptical. But he chewed through it all and even
found the strength to smile when he heard Regulus snicker at his grimace of disgust. And
then he was pulled with such force that he could not resist. For a moment, the fear of feeling
the cold water in the lungs again caused the body to panic. But the memory in front of his
eyes remained only a delusion because when James was underwater, this did not happen. He
did not drown. His arms and legs were free and he was not alone.

Regulus was so close that James could see the gills on his neck. On the surface he never
noticed them, on land the skin looked smooth and human. James felt a pain in his chest and
only then tried to breathe. To his relief, he didn't choke. A feeling of freshness appeared in
the body through the neck. He suspected that now he had gills like Regulus’s. It is
inconvenient and at first it seemed that he could not inhale to his whole chest, but after a few
breaths he got used to it and forgot about the technique.

Regulus, on the other hand, was like a fish in water. As strange as it sounds, it is half true.
James could swim, but the slow movements of his legs looked somewhat hopeless and
embarrassing. He wondered if the confusion on his cheeks was visible underwater.
Considering how Sirius knew how to pick out the prettiest seashells underwater, and see
treacherous hidden reefs from afar, he suspected he was worse than the open book in front of
Regulus. Sirens really had more advantages underwater. But it was not something that scares
James, it was exciting. “And not in entirely healthy way” he thought.
Regulus' eyes glistened and shimmered under the water. He studied James closely, making
sure that the seaweed was indeed magical. James nodded and saw relief in the siren's tense
shoulders. They really succeeded. They were really here and doing something that probably
no one had done before them. Even with Sirius, they never dived together. His best friend
could not show him this fascinating world inaccessible to humans, because he himself stayed
away from it.

Regulus grabbed his arm and suddenly wrapped his tail around his legs. James felt lightning
in his spine, his back and legs tickled with electricity. With widen eyes he looked at the green
iridescence of the scales, which were still shining under the water and looked much more
natural and beautiful. He didn't know siren etiquette, so he didn't dare to touch, but the
proximity made his thoughts melt.

He had to stop the movement with his legs, because of Regulus' tail.

"Keep your legs together," Regulus said, though his mouth didn't move. James parted his lips
instead, but couldn't answer. The voice seemed to be blocked in his chest.

How did he do it?

James looked at Regulus.

“Move your legs as if it were a tail”

Somehow Regulus was talking to him. But only now did James realize that these were not
words. It's just an understanding. Like a mental transfer or something that he couldn't use in
return.

Anyway, James nodded and followed the instruction, but when Regulus released him, his legs
folded into an imaginary tail could not repeat Regulus' movement as well.

The siren swam up, looking confused at the James’s feet, who watched with a smile as he
slowly descended to the bottom. Regulus grabbed his leg and James flinched as his foot
tickled. He laughed silently, bubbles appeared around his face.
Regulus innocently repeated the movement, and James had to take his leg away, because he
already lacked even magical breath.

They smiled at each other and didn't take their eyes off of each other, even as Regulus,
having given up trying to teach James to swim, took his hand and pulled him away from the
island. Why this did not frighten or alarm James, he did not know. He was a human boy who
was born in the sea and who almost died in it. And now he was going to see him in a light
that most likely no living person had seen before.

The blue dark depth began to change to the bright shades of the lagoon in ten minutes. And
then James lost his mind. Corals of colors he couldn't even think of how to name and an
entire ecosystem of jellyfish and fish harmoniously accepted him and Regulus into their life
movement. James opened his mouth and quickly closed it. The catchy curse stayed in his
thoughts. James squeezed Regulus' hand, though it wasn't enough to express the wave of
emotion that was clenching in his stomach.

James didn't notice as he let go of Regulus trying to take in everything around him. Harmless
fish moved quickly like a compass needle and playfully tickled his feet with waves of water,
while others fled from an alien appearance on their territory.

A dim light from deep inside a cave in the lagoon caught his attention. He turned to Regulus,
who was shooing away a jellyfish that had swam too close to James and pointed his index
finger at the light. A strange mysterious smile appeared on the siren's face. He swam ahead of
James, swimming so close that the translucent, colorful end of his tail gently stroked James'
chin, making him gasp. At that moment, James could not return to reality for a moment. The
emotion must have shown on his face, because when Regulus turned to see that James hadn't
followed, his lips turned into a small sneer. Regulus took James' fingers in his.

If James had loved swimming before, it couldn't be compared to any sensation now. Even if
his leg movements barely moved him and he had to rely on Regulus, which was not
undesirable. Now he felt the water in a completely different way.

Regulus turned to face him, catching James' gaze on his back, which was criss-crossed by a
strange ornament of interlocking pearls.
James almost groaned in despair. Could he be any more obvious in his admiration? He looked
away, hating not being able to answer. Without his voice and silly (sometimes witty) jokes, he
was naked and defenseless.

James flinched when he noticed Regulus' hand reaching for his chin, forcing him to look up.
Regulus's face seemed even more unearthly in the iridescence of silver-blue light.

"Look," James understood Regulus' message. There was a note of expectation and
uncertainty in his eyes. James obeyed, looking around intrigued. He didn't think he could be
surprised today after everything he'd seen, but he was wrong.

Around the underwater cave, crystals shone like stars in the clear night sky. There were a lot
of them, as if someone had scattered glitter. James could imagine how happy Regulus must
have been when he first came across this place.

"Like it?"

He didn’t like it. He was filled with warmth and happiness up to his throat. He was stunned
and… and ironically speechless.

James felt a burning sensation in his eyes. It was hard to sense his own crying under the
water. But he wouldn’t surprise if Regulus read him easily. Even if he did, he did not tease
him about his invisible tears, but only pushed him closer with a smile. James didn't
immediately realize what was happening, but when the thought hit him he could almost gasp
at the feel of Regulus' chest and bare skin all over his thin shirt. He kissed him.

James was sinking again, but this time without fear and with desire. He wrapped his arms
around the tail, which hugged him again, but stronger and more confident than the first time.

James was falling to pieces. The heart screamed unintelligibly, moving the blood to the ears.
He didn't know how he needed it. What a really strong desire was engraved in him under the
skin.
They emerged.

James gasped for air as his static lungs filled with air again. The neck was scratching, he
touched it unconsciously, the gills were no longer there.

He stupidly smiled at Regulus, brushing wet hair from his face. Regulus still held him tightly,
so instead of worrying about staying afloat, he leaned forward again to feel the sparks of the
mermaid's plump lips.

Did it really happen? James's heart fluttered painfully. The feeling of the fairy tale did not
leave him, although the warm and real Regulus squeezed his hands on his waist, bringing him
back to reality. The best reality that only James could imagine.

They returned to the island, but the sand in his toes did not grounded him.

The days when he couldn't think about anything but searching for the next gold vein seemed
to be a thing of the past. His team would not be happy if they found out that he suddenly
wanted to stay on a deserted island and spend the rest of his life on a warm shore, growing
magic algae. He pulled away from Regulus, his eyes a little red and still getting used to being
dry. His smile was as wide and unstoppable as his love, pinching his cheeks. He shamelessly
voiced this thoughts to Regulus and the siren's eyes focused on the sky, dreamily considering
the possibility.

"I would—" Regulus stopped.

The sun showed its first rays. Regulus turned his head to the east, his face changed.

"I have to go back," he whispered and sighed. The magic of the night began to dissipate.

"I don't want you to go," James pulled him a little more desperately than he had planned and
lowered himself into the water deep to his chest and leaned against his lips in another kiss.
"I don't want to either," Regulus shook his head, calmly whispering a confession. As if he had
come to terms with the fact that his wish would never come true.

"Then don't go," James said lightly, placing his hands gently against Regulus' rosy cheeks.
Like it’s obvious solution of all their problems. "My team will be here soon," James said in
between needy careless lip touches. “I will take you and we will travel the seas together.”

Shocked by his own words, James froze and smiled shyly. But he meant it.

Regulus took a deep breath and pursed his lips, which still tasted like James and the salt
water. They never talked about what would happen after James got off this island, although
they certainly knew it was only a temporary place. James's whisper touched his sharp ears
with a sweet dream. Too tempting.

Regulus regretted not going with Sirius then. Could he make that mistake again? The
responsibility for the decision sat on his shoulders like a stone.

Regulus shook his head.

“They will search for me, it is dangerous for you and your ship. I'm not worth it” he said
honestly, not hiding the stinging pity in his voice. Although his mother was currently focused
on plans with the Death Eaters, when her only heir disappeared, she would become wild. She
needs a son, no matter what she says. At least one.

James's hands rested against the siren's wet cheeks.

"One of my team members can use cloaking charms." Even your own mother will look at you
and not recognize you under them,” James assured.

“Does a human have such abilities?” Regulus doubted. It would be too easy and too good.
"Not quite human," James smiled. “But a pirate. My best friend. I can't wait to introduce you
to him. You will have a lot to talk about, you have a lot in common. All crew will love you! I
will give you the best place on the ship that you want, I will show you the world with my
eyes as you showed me yours. All the stories I told you can now become yours. We will
create so many adventures!”

James was talking so fast he was out of breath, he paused again, forcing himself to slow
down. It is certainly not so easy when the whole body vibrated with happiness and
excitement. But his voice trailed off a little: "Regulus, I know it's a lot." I’m a lot and… You
haven't shared all the details of your situation, but I promise I'll do my best to make you
happy. If you allow me to.”

Regulus lowered his head, not understanding how moisture appeared in his eyes. James was
too dreamy and seductive with his words. People were like that. Hot on emotions, they
caught up quickly and lied a lot. His mother's whisper hummed above him, reminding him
how pathetic he was for even considering the possibility. But the brown eyes, the color of
eyes that was never seen in sirens, were pure and sincere, shining with life and affection.
Whatever Regulus was according to his mother, James never lived up to her claims. James
was something his mother had never touched and never met because she didn't deserve
something so good. Regulus didn't know if he deserved it himself, but he had to try, because
if he didn't, he would regret it for the rest of his worthless life.

"I… I have to say goodbye to Pandora, my friend," he said. “And take Kreacher away. I don’t
want him to leave there without anyone to protect him.”

“You... great, great.” James tried so hard to hide his excitement. “Great, I'll be here then. I
will wait. Tomorrow?”

"Yes," Regulus nodded actively with blood-filled enthusiasm. Tomorrow. He has not so many
things to collect and not so many people to deal with. Nothing was holding him back.

”Promise?’

"I promise," Regulus assured, his tenderness overflowing. ”Wait for me.”
And James waited. Humbly, faithfully, like a dog. The next midnight, on the shore beyond
the reef from which he usually met his siren, James watched the water until dawn. Regulus
lied. The next day he didn’t appear.
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