Page 51 of The Noble's Merman

“I’ve met too many men in my time who held similar views as him,” Allen commented, a sneer on his lips. “While it is... unfortunate he went missing, Fareham, I do appreciate your presence much more.”

The rest of the men nodded in agreement, cheering their praises for Kent. “We are so blessed to have you on board,” Mo heard Davies say amongst them.

That all made Kent’s cheeks flush, an adorable warm red. “Thank you, I appreciate you all having me here. I can assure you, with what you’ve said about Harris, I am nothing like him.”

“And I can attest to that,” Mo finally said. “Fareham is the sweetest, most kind-hearted human you’ll ever meet.”

Somehow, Kent flushed even harder, putting a hand in front of his absolutely endearing smile.

Even though they agreed to be done with their gaming, none of them got up from their spots. They simply chatted away like they’ve been doing this past quarter moon, laughing and learning more about each other. Like always, the focus somehow landed on Mo regardless of where the conversation was going, asking him more about merfolk and their way of life. Over their time, they’d already asked him about what he eats, how he sleeps, and even more invasive questions Kent was hesitant to ask in the beginning, such as sex and reproduction. Kent blushed uncontrollably as Mo explained how it worked plainly to them.

Of course, Mo only talked in general terms of a merman and a mermaid. As adorable as Kent was when embarrassed, Mo knew he should keep the details of their ventures private. He’d be too bashful to admit the hot and breathtaking things they’d done together out loud to anyone, anyway. Well, to anyone other than Kent himself (to which, he’d gladly tease him as much as he could).

But they hadn’t had any physical intimacy since Kent boarded The Sterling Mer, and it pained Mo so. Seeing him and talking with him every day, yet unable to touch him the way he wanted. He knew they just had to take their time per Walker’s advice to get to know the crew, but damn, if he wasn’t itching for some more alone time with his precious human.

That being said, the small circle of men here—along with the captain who was elsewhere at the moment—knew the true nature of Mo’s relationship with Kent. They were comfortable with each other, and Mo hoped to say they were all becoming friends. It was strange—how much easier it was to talk to humans than to other merfolk. He felt like he belonged.

What the fuck am I doing killing humans, then?

Mo shook his head, hoping no one noticed how he squinted his eyes amongst the chatter in their sitting circle.

No, no, it’s not the same. I—I’m not just some reckless, bloodthirsty monster, am I? I mainly only target pirates. I have control. I can control the Song.

“Mo, have you ever tried to become human?”

It was Davies’s voice that took him out of his thoughts.

“Human? Oh, I’d love to try, but I don’t know how. Not—not necessarily, anyway.” He wasn’t paying close enough attention to how the conversation got here, but he was very glad it did. Now was finally his chance to ask. “Do any of you know a method? For merfolk to gain legs?”

“No, not at all. Do you?” Davies asked Walker, and Walker shook his head. “That’s unfortunate.”

“I have some books and pamphlets about merfolk, and even those don’t have any solid answers,” commented Kent. “We were… sort of hoping perhaps someone here on the ship knew anything.”

“Hmm, I don’t think Captain Brooks would know, either,” said Walker. The bright sun highlighted his dark skin. “When Lyla was traveling with us, she was a mermaid the entire time. Never human. And when we returned to shore, she didn’t wish to stick around, and went back to her home in the water. Brooks was saddened at the time, but I remember he tried to stay optimistic. That since she was a mermaid, they were too different to maintain a lasting relationship, anyway.”

“But I don’t think that’s true at all,” said Mo.

That got the attention of everyone, looking at him curiously.

He gently grasped Kent’s hand resting next to him on the floorboards, giving him a smile, and then continued, “There must’ve been something else. There’s a common belief in merfolk society for us to stay away from humans, that they’re dangerous, and that’s why we hardly show ourselves to your kind. So perhaps there was something holding her back from continuing their relationship, whether that was her own subconscious beliefs or an external force suggesting she cut ties with him.”

Mo’s answer seemed to surprise everyone, aside from Kent. While Kent already knew of such circumstances with merfolk—and had to deal with external forces of his own, like his father—the other men opened their eyes wider. “I suppose that is possible,” said Walker. “Lyla never talked much about her home life. Actually, now that I think about it, the only one she really talked to at all was Brooks. She didn’t board every day like you do, Mo. You’ve been more social than she ever was, and that’s a different experience for all of us.”

“I see.” So that was why, even after Lyla, the men had remained curious about him. “Well, to get back to earlier, I don’t suppose perhaps another crewman knows something about becoming human? There are a lot of people here on this ship?—”

“I do.”

Everyone turned their attention to Allen.

“You do? Really?” asked Mo.

Allen ran his fingers over the top of his head, combing through his long, loose orange locks. “Aye, in a way. There’s something I’ve never told any of you, but I suppose now is as good a time as any. My father was a merman.”

“What?!”

“Are you serious?” said Davies, sitting up straighter. “This whole time, and you’ve never told us such a thing? You’ve been a part of this crew for nearly two years!”

“I know, but the subject never came up. It never felt right to mention it. It doesn’t change anything about who I am, does it?”

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