black pearl
chapter 1
{ bang chan x seo changbin }
pirate x merman au
stray kids members & itzy included, other ships to be announced
pirate captain chan, merman changbin, mermaid chaeryeong (sister), hurt/comfort, violence, found family, kidnapping, minor character death
cross-posted on ao3
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The grotto is quiet around this time of night. Boats don’t usually pass through their portion of the water often but occasionally the odd navy ship would; Changbin only recognized the difference by the obnoxious bright colours they use. He only knew of the navy at all because he’d overheard some talk of them when he was close enough to the humans when they passed through, some sort of authority team of whatever human governed the local land. None of this affected his little pod, so far removed from the population in their grotto.
Their little pod only consisted of him and his little sister. Years and different factors had them losing their parents and extended family at a young age; Changbin having to step up for Chaeryeong and shoulder the responsibility for their safety, meals, and teaching her their history and ways of life.
It was hard, knowing what to tell her and what to show her. None of the old pod families were still around to provide him guidance in rearing her, he had to use his best judgement. Changbin was only just older than a guppy when his parents decided to stay in the grotto while the rest of the pod moved on to other waters after the human raids. He missed his old friends and he knew Chaeryeong did too, only just a little guppy back then too. Changbin was naive back then, exploring the land and even having a human guppy friend- boy his mind supplied after the fact.
That all changed when the humans came back a second time on their quest for scales and gems. Chaeryeong had seen nothing past his fingers covering his eyes and mouth, keeping her quiet as he watched it all happening, helpless. It’s exactly what their parents had instructed him to do in this kind of emergency situation- he still felt like a coward.
“Binnie?” The familiar tone of clicking knocked Changbin out of his thoughts. He turned away from where he was staring up at the surface, light filtering through in wavering lines broken by cutting waves.
Chaeryeong had yet another string of shells around her neck. It was definitely newly made as it was a colour combination he hadn’t seen before. It hurt a little to see how her talents reflected their father so closely. Their mother had received strand after strand of carefully crafted necklaces from him that she rotated to decorate herself and mark herself mated. Not that it was ever in question; their pod was a humble size and everyone was close enough that it was common knowledge. Every day Changbin saw more of their parents in her, it was enough that he never feared forgetting their faces or memories.
“Where have you been little fry?” By the moon, he should have known not to ask. He groans loudly when he sees her face twist with guilt. “Nevermind.”
The older merman shakes his head and reaches around for the pouch floating out behind him.
“Want a new addition?” He presents the algae washed shell in one hand. It was a habit to store away pretty little things he found, fond as ever of the way his sister’s face brightened with each present. Her face lights up now, routine, saying nothing and attaching the new shell to the netted sash around her waist. He’s prepared for the resulting hug but not for the hushed thank you she whispers into his shoulder.
“You know I just want to keep you safe right?” It was a tough job as an older sibling and a stand-in for two parents and a community but if he had to serve tough love, he would.
Chaeryeong nodded, chin digging into him which he suspected as intentional. “I know, but you also need to let me learn. I’m not a little guppy that doesn’t know up from down anymore.” He knew she wasn’t. It was a truth he had difficulty coming to terms with. Wanting to protect her didn’t have an expiry date, he’d forever want to keep her happy and safe from any danger. The most pressing danger being the humans that she seemed infatuated with.
Wanting to lighten the mood despite his worries, Changbin pulls at her ear resulting in a squeak rivalling their dolphin friends. He laughs because it’s his job to tease her. “I saw you swim and almost get stuck in the reef just last week.” Her resulting giggling shows she’s over the squabble.
“Well, I’m a week older now, so!”
--
“Chae? I got us some flatfish, your favourite!” A week later and in the darkening waters, Changbin’s call was met with silence. Maybe at any other time he could expect some delay from the mermaid but, like every other afternoon, Chaeryeong should’ve been just a swim away; taking time to sunbathe on her favourite flattened stonebed. She always raved about how it caught just the right amount of sunbeams through the cuts of the waves above, lulling her into a perfect nap. “Chae?”
The fish Changbin caught couldn’t go much longer without eating. He frowned and moved to stash them in one of the baskets they’d found in a shipwreck a few months ago. His stomach protested waiting longer but his priority was the suspicious feeling he had in the pit of his gut. He attached his small serrated knives to each side of his netted sash.
It wasn’t too far to the surface. Changbin took care to swim at an angle, not wanting to risk popping straight up from their home and exposing it. He had made the trip many times, especially years back, so when his head popped above the surface, he recognized his surroundings. He didn’t see his sister lounging anywhere at first. It took him two laps around the little extended piece of island before he moved on to the main land. She wasn’t there either.
He was at a loss of where else to look. It wasn’t like her to not be home at this time, especially without telling him she would be exploring further out past their waters. She had to be Above. He was almost ready to give up and go back under to travel west when a glimmer caught his eye from behind the cliff.
“No..” He breathed out.
Chaeryeong’s sash was crumpled over the spiking rocks. It was an immediate sign of trouble. Their sashes belonged to their parents, mended over time due to errant coral or a feisty fish. In no logical situation would she have left it behind willingly- Changbin knew even when she snuck on land and took her legs, she either kept it on or tucked it in her shoulder bag. This was bad. This was so so bad.
Taking his legs to search on land would set him back further than he already must have been, having to find human clothes and the sorts so he wouldn’t get arrested at first glance would cut into precious time. He carefully took the sash and wrapped it around his waist, layering it over his own for safe keeping.
Changbin jetted off, wasting no time in coasting the edge of the land. His core and tail was strong enough to keep his upper half afloat, eyes searching and searching for some sort of familiarity. He prayed to the Moon Maker that his sister had just not noticed the sash missing despite how he knew in his heart it was too unlikely.
He swam for close to an hour, only stopping when he was too close to the city to continue above the surface. Hope was dwindling quickly; soon he would have to make the decision if he would continue fully Above or not.
It was a close call, with his distracted line of thinking, that he almost didn’t see the familiar brown panelling of a sailing ship. It came from the right corner of vision. Unlike usual ships he would avoid at all costs, this one had a marker flag masted at its forefront.
Pirates.
At any other ship, Changbin would have dipped quickly under the surface to disguise himself. Pirates were the only humans deserving of his kind’s respect, or indifference. He didn’t know all the intricacies of their faith but through experience he knew they looked to the Moon Maker and her glory in some similar form and wouldn’t mess with her children.
Gathering his courage, Changbin swam closer to where the boat was cutting the water. He surveyed no movement aboard from his position- head only exposed to his nose. It would always be a bit of a risk catching the attention of a ship like this; there was a chance it could be a decoy or a rogue immoral crew that was out specifically in search for mer.
His patience rewarded him in the form of a man coming to the edge of the stern, lips pursed and eyes in search of something. Changbin squinted to get a better look at the man, looking to see if he adorned typical piratewear. His brown hair was slightly waved, parting in the middle underneath a black hat. When he swam closer to call out, surprise almost had him sinking back under the water. This pirate had a familiar face. The scar to the left of his cheek only cementing the connection.
“Minho?” At the call of his name, the man turned directly to him- surprise reflecting back in his eyes.
