Mermaid AU: Catch and Release

As Jack knelt at the boots of his captain, he considered how things could have gone differently.

How he could have been sneakier when it came to keeping his secret hidden.

How he could have just ignored those silver eyes that lurked under the surface of the water.

How he could have just avoided this situation all together and not have taken up the offer of being a ship hand for the promise of treasure and riches. 

His face scrunched up with the pang of regret as it hit just how much he had truly screwed up by accepting the offer of being a cabin boy on a ship in the middle of the sea where anything could happen. Jack knew he should have listened to that little voice in the back of his head that told him he should have just stayed on land and remained a farmer. Sure life was boring but at least his wouldn't be at constant risk from sunset to sundown. 

The aching of his wrists from the rough prickly rope that bound his hands behind him slowly brought his attention back to the current situation at hand. The rotten and twisted stench of old rum and cigars brought him back to the giant man standing before him. Jack knew the captain had been talking this entire time but he had grown to tune his boastful slurring out after a week of being on board. He had actually grown to tune everything out around him, from the rocking of the ship, to the men around him. The ocean itself had become white noise to the cabin boy. 

Maybe that's why he let his curiosity get the best of him when he heard something parrot his whistling one night. Something that cut through the white noise and terrible sea shanties of drunken pirates. A hum from the waters below that hid itself in the chorus of crashing waves. He knew of sirens and the songs they'd sing. Loud and beautiful voices that would lure fleets into rocks and sink even the sturdiest of ships. A sound so irresistible that even the most stoic of captains would melt.

And yet, Jack whistled back. The singing drunkards onboard would have never picked up on the sound over their own bellowing voices. It was one of the few times Jack was thankful he wasn't allowed any alcohol or he could have missed out on one of the few things he didn't regret on that ship. 

He remembered peeking over the railings and seeing a tail disappear under the water. It was much hairer than the tails he'd imagine a mermaid having. There was no kaleidoscope of scales or fins that radiated out and captured the moonlight. Had it not been for the head of hair he had caught a glimpse of disappearing underwater, he would have mistaken it for a strange red species of seal.

 And had it not been for the fact he heard another splash on the other side of the ship along with a whistle, he would have just left it at an illusion caused by lack of a good sleeping schedule. Following the sound, Jaack was faced with obstacle of actually getting down from the ship. It took him a bit before he could figure out a safe way of closing the distance between them. A rope tied to the railings and some well placed footing helped tremendously with their first meeting. 

Jack's gaze softened as he remembered her pale eyes under the surface of the water. There was a strange concoction of fear and wonder as his brain processed he was only a foot away from what many consider a sea monster. That same voice that told him to stay a farmer kept pestering him to climb right back onboard the ship. He ignored it once again and whistled out the same tune, just to test the waters. 

There was a minute or two of what he was now aware was hesitation before she finally surfaced, and it took Jack all night to work on getting his heart beat back on track after the skip she caused. Her lips pursed together and she whistled right back with a smile on her face. 

Jack wasn't even aware of the smile that had crept onto his own face as he played the memory in his head until he felt the cold tip of a sword pressed to his cheek. The pressure was enough to break skin and the cabin boy forced himself not to grunt in pain. 

"Seems as though the lad has the gull to smile in the face of his own demise!" 

Jack had forgotten he was currently being punished.

Half of him was growing impatient while the other half was praying the captain would continue talking. However, his smiling seemed to have sped the process up. Jack sucked air into his clenched teeth as he felt the rope behind him get tugged-forcing him onto his feet. 

"I'd say we've given this pest enough time to bid this ship goodbye! Haven't we men!" The captain turned on his heel as he spread his arms out to the crew. 

A chorus of rough agreement erupted around Jack. His eye twitched as he glared daggers at the back of the man's head. If his last moments were meant to be spent bidding farewell to the worst vessel to sail the seas, he didn't mind spending them wrong. 

The sound of wood being dragged along the deck grabbed his attention as he watched a man set up the plank. It was a thin board that wobbled the more it jutted out from the ship. The crew around him only grew rowdier as they filled with excitement over getting to see another poor sap thrown overboard. 

Jack wished he would be tossed over and have that be it, but the long coiling rope that led from his ankles to the main mast of the ship and the twisted grin on the captain's face said otherwise. 

"Set him up on the plank. But remember not to let him go yet!" 

As Jack was dragged over to the rails, he couldn't resist letting his mind wander again. Away from the loud rowdy crew and the grunts of the man dragging him across the deck. His eyes locked on the surface of the ocean and how the setting sun's light seemed to dance across the waves.

The sound of water only caused him to think about her and he couldn't help but wonder if she would really risk showing up just to save a human. 

After she had revealed herself to him, Jack was at a loss of words. It was probably because he wasn't expecting to get this far in his attempt to contact a mermaid. He was thankful she decided to speak first as he knew he'd ruin his first impression almost immediately.

"So, you're the source of that charming little tune." The mermaid smiled as she cocked her head to the side. Jack took note of her soft fin-like ears and how they adjusted to the sounds around her. With a gulp, he squeaked out a quick "Yesthat'sme." 

She just let out a chuckle that emanated from deep within her furry chest. "Easy there, I don't plan on biting you on the first meeting. Though you do smell delicious." 

That small voice was beginning to scream in Jack's head but all he could muster was, "T-thank you! I try to not smell terrible but that's very hard when you're on a ship...with barely any clean water...or decent soap." His voice only shrunk the longer he went on but that only caused the mermaid to move closer to him. Her smile only grew and it was then Jack had noticed she appeared to have fangs of some sort. 

She let out what he could have sworn was a purr as she seemed to pick up on his staring. "So...do you have a name of some sort? Something I could call you besides 'The sweet smelling one'?"

"M-my name?"

"'Course! I mean, I went through the trouble of outing myself to you. I'd like to at least know what your name is." 

"Um..my name is Jack. It's nothing fancy...and is actually really common but um...yeah." He rubbed the back of his neck, now more self aware of his existence and just how mundane it was to this mythical being.

"You're right, it isn't too fancy...and it is mighty common," The playful smile on her face softened and Jack felt a strange sense of ease come over him. "But you are the first Jack I've met. So that makes you special. "

There was no doubt in Jack's head that she could hear how loud his heart was beating in his chest. It only grew louder as he worked up the courage to ask his next question.

"What's your name? I mean-if you're alright with sharing." His voice wobbled as he smiled nervously at her. He tried to read her expression for any potential signs of discomfort but she seemed completely at peace.

"It's only fair I share. Seeing as I have yours. My name is Najla."

Jack was jolted back to the present as he was hoisted up and over the railing. The plank didn't offer any solid footing and it shook with each ocean wave. Jack gazed down at the dark water waiting below him. It was void of any signs of life, yet he couldn't shake the feeling that something was waiting for him just beneath the waves.

He swallowed hard as he finally was looking at his fate through the lens of reality. His wrists and ankles were tied and the only people present who could save him were the same ones damning him to die. A pang of dread hit his chest and his breathing got heavy. Even if he weren't restrained, he never properly learned how to swim. No matter how he looked at it, he was at the doorsteps of death. 

"Today, we send our beloved cabin boy overboard to deliver him to Davy Jones himself," The captain paused as he let his men hoot in response before continuing. "But before we send the little lad packing, we need him to do one last send off. The enchanting melody that captured the attention of that beloved sea wench of his."

Jack clicked back to reality, and snapped his head towards the captain. His honey gold eyes now a furious lime green as he snarled in retaliation. "Don't call her a wench you bastard!" 

The man's eyes widened briefly in shock, as did most of the crew. In all his time onboard the ship, Jack had done his best to keep his temper under control. It was one of the biggest struggles he had to overcome but his record was relatively clean. Yet, there was something about having Najla called out of her name that made him lose composure. 

The sudden fist to the back of his head nearly made him lose his balance and even consciousness. A gravelly voice growled at him to not speak out of line with the captain. He credited it belonging to the first mate.

The captain simply sauntered over. "Well, will you be so kind enough as to share that with the crew?" A wicked smile came to his face, revealing his yellowed and chipping teeth. Only the canines were in good condition and that was only because of the rusting gold covering them "Or is that another secret you're going to keep to yourself young man?" 

Jack remained silent, yet his eyes were filled with all the words he wished he could call the man in front of him. He knew the captain needed him to call for Najla but he also knew if he wasn't careful, he'd off him right on the plank. Jack knew he would be facing death, but he wanted to see her just one last time before he went.

The cackle that erupted from the captain nearly made him snap.

"Just as I thought. Another victim of the enchantment of the sea! Don't worry about holding out on us though! Once we reel her in, we'll get her to squeal!"

Jack watched closely as the man got closer to him, stopping just at the railing. "After all, it's a pirate's right to plunder all treasures of the sea! And whether you like it or not, that includes your wench." the captain made sure to enunciate each syllable of that last word as he walked closer to the cabin boy.

The second the captain's rotten breath hit Jack's senses, the cabin boy made his move. Mustering up what energy he had left, he twisted himself around on one foot and collided his head with the nose of the captain. He knew it wasn't enough to knock him off his feet but he did hear a grunt and something pop from the impact.

Unfortunately, the motion was too much for the plank itself and the wood gave out underneath Jack's feet. As he fell toward the ocean below, he could see the blurry image of the captain's face now covered in blood from the broken nose he had just received. It was a sight that made Jack feel as though his stupid maneuver had been worth it. 

With a mocking whistle, Jack disappeared into the waters below. 

The initial shock of the cold water immediately made him forget his small victory. Jack squeezed his eyes shut as he tried to go to a better place. Somewhere much warmer and safer. Where the sting of the salt water didn't reawaken the pain of his cuts inflicted by a spiteful sword. Yet, no matter what he tried, he remained in his cruel reality. The distance between him and the ship above only grew with each passing moment and his lungs began to ache with the need for air. He could feel his body temperature dropping as the bubbles rose. 

With the ocean darkening around him, Jack accepted his story was coming to his conclusion and closed his eyes. 

A trill and warm hands on his cheeks brought him back as the cabin boy took a peek. Saddened silver eyes were waiting for him. 

"I was hoping you'd be much closer to the surface." Najla murmured as she moved closer and let out a whine. The pain in Jack's lungs were beginning to get to him but he tried his hardest to hang on just a little longer to stay with her. 

Thankfully, Najla picked up on his straining and closed the gap between them. For a second, Jack pondered if this was a kiss goodbye, only to feel something spherical and softer being pushed past his lips and down his throat. 

Within seconds, the aching of his lungs was gone and he felt as though he had just got a breath of fresh air. Najla lingered a little longer after giving him oxygen before she pried her lips away. "They always talk about how we drown humans that not enough people know we can save them as well." 

Jack only gave a dazed smile in response and moved to hug her, only to remember he was still tied to the ship. The realization made his eyes widen as he looked up towards it. Turning his attention back to Najla, Jack struggled as he tried to get free from the rope. The only thing he was accomplishing was rubbing his skin raw. 

Najla grabbed him, forcing him to stop as she reached back and felt the rope. She snarled, immediately realizing the potential fate of her cabin boy and swam behind him. Jack tried to see what she was doing as he peeked over his shoulder. There was the strange sound of something snapping alongside the strange sensation of what he guessed were teeth before Jack could move his now free hands in front of him. 

He looked down to see Najla working to disconnect him from the main rope that led back to the ship. Now able to turn himself, he could see his assumptions were right as Najla gnawed him free, tugging the rope away from his legs as she returned to him. With a wide grin, Jack gave her the biggest hug, squeezing her smaller frame.

Najla's eyes widened but in a pleasant surprise, she returned the motion, squeezing him close to her as she purred against him. The two remained like that for a couple seconds before the need for air interrupted their moment. This time, Najla grabbed Jack's hand and swam upwards toward the surface.

As they broke through the water, the first thing they were met with was the sound of angry men yelling from a distance.  Squinting, Jack saw the captain throwing a tantrum as he demanded his crew to reel their cabin boy in faster. His face was almost as red as the blood trickling through the finger gaps of his hand clasped over his nose.

Najla merely wrapped her arms around his neck and rested her head on his shoulder as she listened. 

"Ah, I love the sound of pirates suffering." 

Jack snickered in response as the crew pulled up the rope he should have been attached to. A part of him wished he was closer so he could see their expressions, but that would be a risk for both his and Najla's life. So he simply made due with their audible reactions, which were gasps of surprise alongside the captain's ear piercing cry of anger.

Jack smiled smugly "And like that, another treasure of the sea is lost."

Najla's ears perked up and Jack suddenly realized what he said. His face burned bright red as he gave her a nervous grin. A purr simply rumbled in her throat as she responded.

"So I'm a treasure, am I?" Najla leaned in, her sharp teeth peeking through her mischievous smile and Jack became a lot more aware of just how close their bodies were in the icy water. He scrambled to find his words as he felt Najla's hands on his.

"Th-that was what they kept referring to you as so I just...what's wrong?" Jack blinked curiously as the mermaid began to feel around his arm. She paused as she took notice of how much more rough the felt around his wrist.

Najla's gaze saddened "Damn, they really did a number on you...I should have came sooner."  

Jack simply gave a lopsided smile back as he watched her gently rub his wrists. The aching sting from his skin being rubbed raw dulled from the mermaid's soft touch.

"You honestly didn't have to come at all...but I appreciate it."

Najla immediately snapped her head up at Jack. The fur on her chest bristled up. "Like hell I didn't! You're my first and only Jack."

The cabin boy didn't know at first how to respond. He didn't even know how he was meant to take the outburst. But his mind could focus on only one thing.

"I'm...your Jack?"

Najla's eyes widened and her cheeks turned red as she realized what she had technically just said. The two floated in the ocean for a second in silence with the faint enraged yells of pirates as a back drop before the mermaid answered.

"As of now...yes. You are my Jack. Which means whenever you get in trouble, I will come to get you." Najla smirked as she could hear Jack's heart quicken. "After all, we mermaids have a habit to never let a sailor go."

Jack swallowed hard. The voice in his head was rambling out warnings again but the cabin boy couldn't wipe the love struck smile off his face. Even if Najla was dangerous, he'd rather go out by her hand than the sword of his ex-captain.