⚰️

[sword-and-sorrow]

Bella grabbed an especially heavy box out of Beverly's trunk, assuring her for the millionth time that day that she could handle it. She tried again and again to explain her vampiric strength to her girlfriend and even though Beverly still protested Bella knew she understood better than most.

Bella carried the box in through the entryway, up the stairs, and down the hall to where the bedrooms were in the house. She had explained to Beverly the layout already but that didn’t make it any less confusing to actually be inside. The house was old and it was strangely built and organized but Bella's bedroom was homey.

It wasn't very cluttered, although that could change very soon. The only part of it that was full was the closet. Bella had moved all her own clothes to one side and had already finished unpacking Beverly's into the other. Now all that was left was to unpack the rest of her belongings and introduce her to the others.

"Remember," said Bella as she set down her box and took a step back, gingerly dodging Beverly's cat. "If you decide I snore too loud or squirm too much in my sleep you can always ask for your own room."

Beverly, shaking her head as she removed one of the numerous boxes from Isabella’s arms, didn’t have it in her to reassure her girlfriend with words again.

Knowing the six times she did so before didn’t stick, Beverly instead leaned over to kiss her girlfriend on the cheek with a warm, “I love you” and smile. Then, understanding that Isabella liked arranging things herself, she excused herself and Blossom from the room. Wandering back over to her car to shut the trunk, she leaned against the flood and looked up at the crumbling facade.

Biting her lip in the same way another member of the house did, Beverly then ran her fingers through her unruly hair before climbing the stairs again into the house and back to her new room.

“…this house looks like it hasn’t been cleaned in years, Bella! Come on, tell me you at least have some cleaning supplies laying around somewhere….do your roommates not clean?”

She didn’t even wait for an answer as she began working alongside Isabella,suddenly too nervous to remember how the other woman liked…no needed, to organise alone.

[ciao-bella-ciao-bella]

Bella put out a hand slowly to stop her.

"Bev," she said softly. "We'll take care of that later, alright? We do clean. We've been busy lately so I will conceed the house is a mess right now but let's not worry about that right now."

Isabella moved her hand up and down Beverly's arm. "You're safe here, okay? Is that what this is? Are you shaken up from what happened before? I promise, Bev, as long as you're living here no one will come to harm you. You're under Teddy's protection now. More importantly, you're under mine."

[sword-and-sorrow]

Beverly leaned into the touch before letting out an embarrassed laugh and a, “you’re right, this is silly. I’m being silly. We’ve talked about movin’ in together for months, and this place is…perfect in its own way.”

Then rising to her feet and grabbing her bandana from her overalls, she tied her hair back before continuing to unpack her things. However, knowing Isabella likely still didn’t believe she was alright, she confirmed it a few minutes later with a warm, “I know you won’t eat my food, but I will. I’m not going to feel better until I see what sort of kitchen is in this labyrinth!”

“Also, for a house with more people than I can count on one hand, it’s too quiet. You need life in here, Isabella, that’s what this house needs more than a deep cleanin’”

[ciao-bella-ciao-bella]

Bella chuckled softly. "I wouldn't be surprised if no one is home now," she said. "You'll have time to meet people when they arrive. For now, I'll take you to the kitchen."

Bella extended an arm to Beverly and began leading her down the hall.

[sword-and-sorrow]

Beverly lagged behind ever so slightly, partly because of her height and partly because she couldn’t stop thinking about how to tidy up the estate.

Wanting to comment on how lonely the house felt with nobody home, she instead directed her attention into running her hands over the cool marble countertops in the kitchen. Turning to comment to Bella on how they didn’t fit within the old light fixtures, she instead caught the eye of somebody else in the kitchen.

While she wanted to leave, suddenly not ready to meet new people, she forced herself to take a deep breath and step forward with a warm, “oh, hello there! It’s so nice to see somebody else in here.”

“Don’t let me yammer on though, please.”

“Otherwise, we’d be here all day!”

[torturevamp]

Dario stepped into the kitchen, a small smile playing at his lips. "You must be Beverly," he said. "My name is Dario. Bella told me you were beautiful but even she could not do you justice."

He walked until he was next to her, smiling down at her with a tilted head. He pulled open the fridge with one hand. "I'm just getting a drink," he said. "Can I get you anything?"

A drink. Bella had been completely and totally honest with Beverly before she had come to the house. She had told her what Bella and her famiglia were. Still, a drink could mean anything. Anything.

Although Dario was offputting in some odd way he was warm and inviting. Bella had mentioned him more than once and had credited him with saving her life more than a few times.

[sword-and-sorrow]

Beverly wasn’t even thinking about what the word ‘drink’ could’ve signified. Rather, she was trying to determine whether she should be put off by the way Dario smiled at her nor the compliment.

However walking into that conversation, like most, with an open mind, she smiled. After lowering her head ever so slightly to show that she accepted the compliment but was suddenly to shy to give one back, she replied.

“Oh! You’re that Dario. Gosh, I should be thanking you for making sure Bella still walks this earth, right?”

She still didn’t necessarily take a liking to Dario when she doled on praise. However, Beverly was above all friendly and didn’t mind pretending for her girlfriend who was nervous in her own sort of way.

[italian-blood-brother]

Someone was out to kill the crown prince. Of course, nobody in the kingdom was quite sure who, otherwise he wouldn’t be lead out of the tunnels below the sprawling city at midnight.

However, what everyone was sure of was that his guide wouldn’t be a trained mercenary nor guard but rather a man the same age as the prince. Even if he were trained in any sort of way, he didn’t look it. In fact, when he met the prince for the first time that night, his now protector started biting his nails and tapping his foot impatiently rather than bowing or acknowledging the royal.

Now holding a torch in his free hand, he turned to look at the prince with a light, “it’s crazy that someone’s after you. I mean, you don’t look like you’d be able to fight back, so I’m not sure why they’re being secretive about it.”

Teddy had been rudely awoken and had been shoved into a disguise before he could even really open his eyes. He had been steered down to the tunnel network and was still blinking the sleep out of his eyes when he murmured a bewildered, "Could say the same about you. Who are you?"

He steadied himself, grasping at the backpack that had been shoved into his hands. "Where are we going?" he added.

@sword-and-sorrow

[sword-and-sorrow]

Alexander was the one who had shoved the knapsack into the prince’s hands, filling it moreso with personal items then survival tools. He kept those for himself, the sharp daggers and tranquilliser darts that likely no royal had exposure to.

When he replied, it was with a light, “it doesn’t really matter who I am, just that I’m not a boring old guard who’s twenty years older than you.”

“As for where we’re going, wherever they can’t find you-which, lucky you, is pretty fuc-freaking far.”

‘They’ happened to be a pair of tall assassins on the other side of the land; the male counterpart was lacing up his boots and slipping a thin knife into one at the moment.

Looking up eventually at his partner, he murmured, “it shouldn’t be difficult to find him- royal targets aren’t, and he’s likely in the woods.”

Pierre was fastest in his natural habitat, anyplace where he could travel under cover of dark and not be heard. He knew Isabella functioned the same way, albeit she talked more and preferred travelling through towns.

[italian-blood-brother]

"What do they want with me, you think?" Teddy asked as they walked. "You're the one with experience in the matter."

Bella snorted. "Trust me, from what I hear this stupid stronzo will come crashing like a wave. It's whatever guard dog he brought with him that I'm worried about."

She sheathed the knife she had been playing with at her hip and turned to Pierre.

"Do you remember what I told you about him?" she asked. "The prince, I mean? How you'll know it's him and no imposter?"

[sword-and-sorrow]

Already chewing on a piece of beef jerky that he’d found in some pocket, Alexander replied with a muffled, “it’s ‘cause you’re rich and can’t fight back.”

“You can quote me on that too, I was told I have diplomatic immunity towards punishment for insulting the prince.”

“Also, put your hood back up,” he added as he reached over to do just that with a sigh.

Pierre didn’t reply for a moment, too busy letting his eyes follow the people in front of them. When he had his fill of the mundanity of town life, he turned to her with a simple, “royal folk reek of wealth and desperation.”

“He also has a scar on his left temple, I trust it’ll still be there when we find him.”

The taller of the two often looked like he couldn’t stand his partner, but it was quite the opposite. He knew Isabella would engage with other people while he worked from the shadows. Furthermore, despite her complaining about her latest romantic endeavour, he enjoyed knowing that she had found more to life than work.

“…you haven’t said much on this town regarding romance- is it barren of that? It’s not that I care…but I’d like to know.”

[ciao-bella-ciao-bella]

Teddy stuck his tongue out. "Are you going to share that with the class, or did you just bring enough for yourself? I haven't had breakfast, you know."

He put down his hood and began fixing his hair.

Bella snorted.

"Lots of people have scars," she said. "No, I'm talking about something more personal. I'll give you one more guess before I just tell you. You can also guess how my romantic life is going. You're good at extrapolating from evidence."

[sword-and-sorrow]

“I’d get used to it, your majesty…or is your highness?”

“You shouldn’t be in a public area at any time. Also, in case I die protecting you, I want to say that the economy under your kingdom makes sure that nobody is eating more than two meals a day.”

Alexander, sensing Teddy was already tired, motioned for the prince to let his guard carry his bags. Shouldering them along with his own, he complained briefly about the weight before continuing on. They didn’t stop for a good while, Alexander determined to push Teddy to his limit.

Pierre turned to Isabella with an expression that would’ve looked like annoyance to anyone else but to her, was mild confusion. He wasn’t used to not immediately knowing everything about his targets, which is why he focused intently on the second part of her request.

“We move too often for anything meaningful romantically, correct? You wanted to stay for another night in this town, it’s because of a woman who’s taken a liking to you.”

[italian-blood-brother]

Someone was out to kill the crown prince. Of course, nobody in the kingdom was quite sure who, otherwise he wouldn’t be lead out of the tunnels below the sprawling city at midnight.

However, what everyone was sure of was that his guide wouldn’t be a trained mercenary nor guard but rather a man the same age as the prince. Even if he were trained in any sort of way, he didn’t look it. In fact, when he met the prince for the first time that night, his now protector started biting his nails and tapping his foot impatiently rather than bowing or acknowledging the royal.

Now holding a torch in his free hand, he turned to look at the prince with a light, “it’s crazy that someone’s after you. I mean, you don’t look like you’d be able to fight back, so I’m not sure why they’re being secretive about it.”

Teddy had been rudely awoken and had been shoved into a disguise before he could even really open his eyes. He had been steered down to the tunnel network and was still blinking the sleep out of his eyes when he murmured a bewildered, "Could say the same about you. Who are you?"

He steadied himself, grasping at the backpack that had been shoved into his hands. "Where are we going?" he added.

@sword-and-sorrow

[sword-and-sorrow]

Alexander was the one who had shoved the knapsack into the prince’s hands, filling it moreso with personal items then survival tools. He kept those for himself, the sharp daggers and tranquilliser darts that likely no royal had exposure to.

When he replied, it was with a light, “it doesn’t really matter who I am, just that I’m not a boring old guard who’s twenty years older than you.”

“As for where we’re going, wherever they can’t find you-which, lucky you, is pretty fuc-freaking far.”

‘They’ happened to be a pair of tall assassins on the other side of the land; the male counterpart was lacing up his boots and slipping a thin knife into one at the moment.

Looking up eventually at his partner, he murmured, “it shouldn’t be difficult to find him- royal targets aren’t, and he’s likely in the woods.”

Pierre was fastest in his natural habitat, anyplace where he could travel under cover of dark and not be heard. He knew Isabella functioned the same way, albeit she talked more and preferred travelling through towns.

[italian-blood-brother]

"What do they want with me, you think?" Teddy asked as they walked. "You're the one with experience in the matter."

Bella snorted. "Trust me, from what I hear this stupid stronzo will come crashing like a wave. It's whatever guard dog he brought with him that I'm worried about."

She sheathed the knife she had been playing with at her hip and turned to Pierre.

"Do you remember what I told you about him?" she asked. "The prince, I mean? How you'll know it's him and no imposter?"

[sword-and-sorrow]

Already chewing on a piece of beef jerky that he’d found in some pocket, Alexander replied with a muffled, “it’s ‘cause you’re rich and can’t fight back.”

“You can quote me on that too, I was told I have diplomatic immunity towards punishment for insulting the prince.”

“Also, put your hood back up,” he added as he reached over to do just that with a sigh.

Pierre didn’t reply for a moment, too busy letting his eyes follow the people in front of them. When he had his fill of the mundanity of town life, he turned to her with a simple, “royal folk reek of wealth and desperation.”

“He also has a scar on his left temple, I trust it’ll still be there when we find him.”

The taller of the two often looked like he couldn’t stand his partner, but it was quite the opposite. He knew Isabella would engage with other people while he worked from the shadows. Furthermore, despite her complaining about her latest romantic endeavour, he enjoyed knowing that she had found more to life than work.

“…you haven’t said much on this town regarding romance- is it barren of that? It’s not that I care…but I’d like to know.”

[sword-and-sorrow]

Bella grabbed an especially heavy box out of Beverly's trunk, assuring her for the millionth time that day that she could handle it. She tried again and again to explain her vampiric strength to her girlfriend and even though Beverly still protested Bella knew she understood better than most.

Bella carried the box in through the entryway, up the stairs, and down the hall to where the bedrooms were in the house. She had explained to Beverly the layout already but that didn’t make it any less confusing to actually be inside. The house was old and it was strangely built and organized but Bella's bedroom was homey.

It wasn't very cluttered, although that could change very soon. The only part of it that was full was the closet. Bella had moved all her own clothes to one side and had already finished unpacking Beverly's into the other. Now all that was left was to unpack the rest of her belongings and introduce her to the others.

"Remember," said Bella as she set down her box and took a step back, gingerly dodging Beverly's cat. "If you decide I snore too loud or squirm too much in my sleep you can always ask for your own room."

Beverly, shaking her head as she removed one of the numerous boxes from Isabella’s arms, didn’t have it in her to reassure her girlfriend with words again.

Knowing the six times she did so before didn’t stick, Beverly instead leaned over to kiss her girlfriend on the cheek with a warm, “I love you” and smile. Then, understanding that Isabella liked arranging things herself, she excused herself and Blossom from the room. Wandering back over to her car to shut the trunk, she leaned against the flood and looked up at the crumbling facade.

Biting her lip in the same way another member of the house did, Beverly then ran her fingers through her unruly hair before climbing the stairs again into the house and back to her new room.

“…this house looks like it hasn’t been cleaned in years, Bella! Come on, tell me you at least have some cleaning supplies laying around somewhere….do your roommates not clean?”

She didn’t even wait for an answer as she began working alongside Isabella,suddenly too nervous to remember how the other woman liked…no needed, to organise alone.

[ciao-bella-ciao-bella]

Bella put out a hand slowly to stop her.

"Bev," she said softly. "We'll take care of that later, alright? We do clean. We've been busy lately so I will conceed the house is a mess right now but let's not worry about that right now."

Isabella moved her hand up and down Beverly's arm. "You're safe here, okay? Is that what this is? Are you shaken up from what happened before? I promise, Bev, as long as you're living here no one will come to harm you. You're under Teddy's protection now. More importantly, you're under mine."

[sword-and-sorrow]

Beverly leaned into the touch before letting out an embarrassed laugh and a, “you’re right, this is silly. I’m being silly. We’ve talked about movin’ in together for months, and this place is…perfect in its own way.”

Then rising to her feet and grabbing her bandana from her overalls, she tied her hair back before continuing to unpack her things. However, knowing Isabella likely still didn’t believe she was alright, she confirmed it a few minutes later with a warm, “I know you won’t eat my food, but I will. I’m not going to feel better until I see what sort of kitchen is in this labyrinth!”

“Also, for a house with more people than I can count on one hand, it’s too quiet. You need life in here, Isabella, that’s what this house needs more than a deep cleanin’”

[ciao-bella-ciao-bella]

Bella chuckled softly. "I wouldn't be surprised if no one is home now," she said. "You'll have time to meet people when they arrive. For now, I'll take you to the kitchen."

Bella extended an arm to Beverly and began leading her down the hall.

[sword-and-sorrow]

Beverly lagged behind ever so slightly, partly because of her height and partly because she couldn’t stop thinking about how to tidy up the estate.

Wanting to comment on how lonely the house felt with nobody home, she instead directed her attention into running her hands over the cool marble countertops in the kitchen. Turning to comment to Bella on how they didn’t fit within the old light fixtures, she instead caught the eye of somebody else in the kitchen.

While she wanted to leave, suddenly not ready to meet new people, she forced herself to take a deep breath and step forward with a warm, “oh, hello there! It’s so nice to see somebody else in here.”

“Don’t let me yammer on though, please.”

“Otherwise, we’d be here all day!”

[italian-blood-brother]

Someone was out to kill the crown prince. Of course, nobody in the kingdom was quite sure who, otherwise he wouldn’t be lead out of the tunnels below the sprawling city at midnight.

However, what everyone was sure of was that his guide wouldn’t be a trained mercenary nor guard but rather a man the same age as the prince. Even if he were trained in any sort of way, he didn’t look it. In fact, when he met the prince for the first time that night, his now protector started biting his nails and tapping his foot impatiently rather than bowing or acknowledging the royal.

Now holding a torch in his free hand, he turned to look at the prince with a light, “it’s crazy that someone’s after you. I mean, you don’t look like you’d be able to fight back, so I’m not sure why they’re being secretive about it.”

Teddy had been rudely awoken and had been shoved into a disguise before he could even really open his eyes. He had been steered down to the tunnel network and was still blinking the sleep out of his eyes when he murmured a bewildered, "Could say the same about you. Who are you?"

He steadied himself, grasping at the backpack that had been shoved into his hands. "Where are we going?" he added.

@sword-and-sorrow

[sword-and-sorrow]

Alexander was the one who had shoved the knapsack into the prince’s hands, filling it moreso with personal items then survival tools. He kept those for himself, the sharp daggers and tranquilliser darts that likely no royal had exposure to.

When he replied, it was with a light, “it doesn’t really matter who I am, just that I’m not a boring old guard who’s twenty years older than you.”

“As for where we’re going, wherever they can’t find you-which, lucky you, is pretty fuc-freaking far.”

‘They’ happened to be a pair of tall assassins on the other side of the land; the male counterpart was lacing up his boots and slipping a thin knife into one at the moment.

Looking up eventually at his partner, he murmured, “it shouldn’t be difficult to find him- royal targets aren’t, and he’s likely in the woods.”

Pierre was fastest in his natural habitat, anyplace where he could travel under cover of dark and not be heard. He knew Isabella functioned the same way, albeit she talked more and preferred travelling through towns.

[sword-and-sorrow]

Bella grabbed an especially heavy box out of Beverly's trunk, assuring her for the millionth time that day that she could handle it. She tried again and again to explain her vampiric strength to her girlfriend and even though Beverly still protested Bella knew she understood better than most.

Bella carried the box in through the entryway, up the stairs, and down the hall to where the bedrooms were in the house. She had explained to Beverly the layout already but that didn’t make it any less confusing to actually be inside. The house was old and it was strangely built and organized but Bella's bedroom was homey.

It wasn't very cluttered, although that could change very soon. The only part of it that was full was the closet. Bella had moved all her own clothes to one side and had already finished unpacking Beverly's into the other. Now all that was left was to unpack the rest of her belongings and introduce her to the others.

"Remember," said Bella as she set down her box and took a step back, gingerly dodging Beverly's cat. "If you decide I snore too loud or squirm too much in my sleep you can always ask for your own room."

Beverly, shaking her head as she removed one of the numerous boxes from Isabella’s arms, didn’t have it in her to reassure her girlfriend with words again.

Knowing the six times she did so before didn’t stick, Beverly instead leaned over to kiss her girlfriend on the cheek with a warm, “I love you” and smile. Then, understanding that Isabella liked arranging things herself, she excused herself and Blossom from the room. Wandering back over to her car to shut the trunk, she leaned against the flood and looked up at the crumbling facade.

Biting her lip in the same way another member of the house did, Beverly then ran her fingers through her unruly hair before climbing the stairs again into the house and back to her new room.

“…this house looks like it hasn’t been cleaned in years, Bella! Come on, tell me you at least have some cleaning supplies laying around somewhere….do your roommates not clean?”

She didn’t even wait for an answer as she began working alongside Isabella,suddenly too nervous to remember how the other woman liked…no needed, to organise alone.

[ciao-bella-ciao-bella]

Bella put out a hand slowly to stop her.

"Bev," she said softly. "We'll take care of that later, alright? We do clean. We've been busy lately so I will conceed the house is a mess right now but let's not worry about that right now."

Isabella moved her hand up and down Beverly's arm. "You're safe here, okay? Is that what this is? Are you shaken up from what happened before? I promise, Bev, as long as you're living here no one will come to harm you. You're under Teddy's protection now. More importantly, you're under mine."

[sword-and-sorrow]

Beverly leaned into the touch before letting out an embarrassed laugh and a, “you’re right, this is silly. I’m being silly. We’ve talked about movin’ in together for months, and this place is…perfect in its own way.”

Then rising to her feet and grabbing her bandana from her overalls, she tied her hair back before continuing to unpack her things. However, knowing Isabella likely still didn’t believe she was alright, she confirmed it a few minutes later with a warm, “I know you won’t eat my food, but I will. I’m not going to feel better until I see what sort of kitchen is in this labyrinth!”

“Also, for a house with more people than I can count on one hand, it’s too quiet. You need life in here, Isabella, that’s what this house needs more than a deep cleanin’”

[sword-and-sorrow]

Bella grabbed an especially heavy box out of Beverly's trunk, assuring her for the millionth time that day that she could handle it. She tried again and again to explain her vampiric strength to her girlfriend and even though Beverly still protested Bella knew she understood better than most.

Bella carried the box in through the entryway, up the stairs, and down the hall to where the bedrooms were in the house. She had explained to Beverly the layout already but that didn’t make it any less confusing to actually be inside. The house was old and it was strangely built and organized but Bella's bedroom was homey.

It wasn't very cluttered, although that could change very soon. The only part of it that was full was the closet. Bella had moved all her own clothes to one side and had already finished unpacking Beverly's into the other. Now all that was left was to unpack the rest of her belongings and introduce her to the others.

"Remember," said Bella as she set down her box and took a step back, gingerly dodging Beverly's cat. "If you decide I snore too loud or squirm too much in my sleep you can always ask for your own room."

Beverly, shaking her head as she removed one of the numerous boxes from Isabella’s arms, didn’t have it in her to reassure her girlfriend with words again.

Knowing the six times she did so before didn’t stick, Beverly instead leaned over to kiss her girlfriend on the cheek with a warm, “I love you” and smile. Then, understanding that Isabella liked arranging things herself, she excused herself and Blossom from the room. Wandering back over to her car to shut the trunk, she leaned against the flood and looked up at the crumbling facade.

Biting her lip in the same way another member of the house did, Beverly then ran her fingers through her unruly hair before climbing the stairs again into the house and back to her new room.

“…this house looks like it hasn’t been cleaned in years, Bella! Come on, tell me you at least have some cleaning supplies laying around somewhere….do your roommates not clean?”

She didn’t even wait for an answer as she began working alongside Isabella,suddenly too nervous to remember how the other woman liked…no needed, to organise alone.

[ciao-bella-ciao-bella]

Alexander knew the costs of being a siren, needing to constantly be on the move without any place to call home. In fact, he’d tried regular life for a while, blending in with the town folk and ignoring questions about his eyes that glowed at night.

However, incapable of escaping his nature, he was soon enough running from pitchforks back into the water after depleting the cattle and then moving onto the farmers themselves.

That evening was no different, spotting a ship on the horizon and rushing towards it. Within minutes, he was catching sight of the people onboard, smiling with sharp teeth and an aim to seduce and kill.

When Isabella first heard the haunting melody of the siren's song she didn't realize what it was.

It was only after she saw a handful of the crew piling to one side, her own husband included, that she clued in.

Alberto, meanwhile, had been manning the helm when the song caught his ear. Thankfully, he had had enough sense to abandon the wheel and run to the edge.

Isabella seized Alberto by the collar of his shirt and thrust him away from the edge of the ship. She stared out over the inky black sea, lips pursed.

@sword-and-sorrow

[ciao-bella-ciao-bella]

Isabella, it seemed, could see right through him.

"My husband has persuaded me to do one thing," she said. "He taught me to stop holding you to human standards. You're not human, you're a different beast altogether.

I will stop getting cross with you when you ask questions or poke or prod. I will be more patient with you when you behave like a siren.

In return, stop boring yourself half to death. Talk to me frankly. Animals and human children both always tell the truth, so let's be honest with each other."

[sword-and-sorrow]

Alexander tilted his head at that, as if not sure whether Isabella was interested in what he had to say or if Alberto had pleaded with her to make amends. However, he wasn’t going to squander the opportunity to be himself, elbows on the table as he leaned forward.

Mischievous grin plastered on his face, he murmured back, “oh darling, my life couldn’t ever be a smidge boring.” Looking to make sure Alberto wouldn’t be too cross at him for whatever he said next, he continued.

“My song is beautiful, but the sound of sailors who think it’s fine to act superior than me begging for their lives is breathtaking.”

“I’d recommend it sometime, Captain, letting the lust for revenge get the best of you sometime. If not that, then at least permit your husband that-you keep him on a short leash, and the freedom of the ocean doesn’t welcome that.”

[sword-and-sorrow]

Shuonun traipsed off stage with a grin as big as his face plastered on. He was completely and utterly wiped out as he crashed into the arms of his agent.

"Alex, can't you hear them?" he gasped out. "They're still screaming out there. My name. Over and over. My name. Holy shit. I see spots. I need a drink."

Shuonun and Alex had been business partners for a couple of years. Shuonun was the face of the operation, and to his fans he was practically a god, but he was nothing without Alex to advocate for him, to sort out his contracts, to organize the tours where his fans could throw themselves at him in glorious fits of insane devotion.

He had never voiced it before, but the man was his own personal hero.

And he was easy on the eyes too.

Alexander didn’t say much, tensing up as Shuonun crashed into him. Even though he mourned the loss of the crispness of his suit now that the taller man had wrinkled it, he didn’t comment on it.

Shuonun at the moment was one of the biggest names not only in Hollywood but practically worldwide, and Alexander didn’t take jealousy in that. Instead, he simply did his job and tilted his head down whenever someone recognised him from a press conference or video that Alexander kept advising his client against.

Motioning for one of the stage hands to find Shuonun some water, the brand he liked to be exact, he then motioned to another to get the car. Although they weren’t in view of any fans, he still knew their ability to somehow sneak backstage.

It had happened countless times by now, usually a crazed individual claiming they’d name their child after the man if he’d sign an autograph. To everyone, Shuonun was a god, and his voice the answer to all.

Shaking the thought of Shuonun possibly being in danger, Alexander mumbled something before speaking up with a, “we were supposed to be on the road by now…you can’t do oncores every time, your next set of fans will be…upset that you’re late.”

Alexander wanted to use stronger words than that, rip into Shuonun, but he didn’t; he was paid handsomely to work for the star, and he’d known him before fame.

@hellachaotic

[hellachaotic]

Shuonun chuckled softly.

"I would, but I'm afraid my life didn't start until I walked through that door and saw you," he said. "Before then, nothing matters."

With his free hand, he intertwined his fingers with Alex's slowly.

[sword-and-sorrow]

Alexander almost froze up when Shuonun grabbed his hand, about to shove the star off with an awkward, “the joke’s over, let’s go home.”

However, what instead happened was that he leaned in with a casual, “I like a man who’s easily impressed with the small touches, allows me to blow more than his mind quicker.”

There was no way to know if Alexander was still playing the game, a certain apathy behind his eyes but sympathy in his motions. Furthermore, when he leaned even closer to lightly brush Shuonun’s hair out of his face, it was more than he’d touched the star in months.

[hellachaotic]

Shuonun leaned into his touch in a way that was anything but subtle. His eyes fluttered closed and when he did open them it was to gaze into Alex's with a small smirk.

"Can we go somewhere a bit more... private, do you think?"

[sword-and-sorrow]

Alexander looked away for a moment as if trying to break away from Shuonun’s sudden spell on him. However, he was using all of his will to stay upright which is why he murmured back, “If you’re into climbing in the backseat of a car that doesn’t belong to me, you’re in luck.”

When he rose from his seat and straightened out out his shirt, Alexander did so with a glance at Shuonun. It wasn’t particularly long, staring out from under his eyelashes, but it had depth in it. He knew that they were both walking a fine line but that they were both performers at heart.

[hellachaotic]

Shuonun rose to his feet soon after, half helping Alex and half leaning on him all the way to the door.

Once they exited into the cool night, Shuonun felt the chill instantly. The bar had been so warm. He took off his jacket and draped it around Alex's shoulders, fumbling for his car keys.

[sword-and-sorrow]

It was then that he finally turned to Shuonun with a soft, “what are we doin’ here?…this isn’t…right. This isn’t a game anymore, is it.” As he spoke, he refused to look at the taller man, eyes falling to the warm street lamp as if at any moment it would turn into an angel with righteous advice.

However, when nothing came to save him, he realised for the countless time he’d have to make his own decision. Learning against the car, he rubbed at the ridge of his nose, swallowed hard, and dug his heels in.

“If I were to kiss you, I wouldn’t want it to be with the taste of fuckin’ Jack Daniels in your mouth. I think I deserve more than that, for puttin’ up with you over the years.”

Knowing that sounded harsh, he quickly added, “I knew you’d get cold eventually and then hungry, so I stuck an extra sweatshirt and granola bar in the backseat when we were leaving.”

“Also, I already called an Uber for the both of us, shouldn’t be drivin’.”

[hellachaotic]

Shuonun was silent until Alex finished talking and he leaned on the car. Then, he spoke.

"It was never a game to me," he whispered. "I want you, Alex. I have wanted you for a long, long time."

He let out a heavy sigh. "You do deserve more. You deserve more than alcohol and loud bars you hate. You deserve a better life than I can give you. You tied your boat to a sinking pier, Alex."

[sword-and-sorrow]

As the Uber arrived, Alexander only spoke to direct the driver and then tip her extra to keep Shuonun’s identity to herself. Furthermore, he didn’t even look at the star when they got out, a few blocks away from home just in case.

It was when they were drunkenly stumbling onto the lawn that the shorter man finally looked up at Shunonun with a mumbled, “about you being a sinking pier…I’ve always loved being underwater, I think the possibility of goin’ under keeps me alive.”

“Fuck…I really just want to lay down on the grass and fall asleep here. You know I did that once? It was like…I can’t remember now, some outdoor concert you did where I waited backstage for hours because you forgot to tell you you were going partyin’ afterwards.”

[ciao-bella-ciao-bella]

Alexander knew the costs of being a siren, needing to constantly be on the move without any place to call home. In fact, he’d tried regular life for a while, blending in with the town folk and ignoring questions about his eyes that glowed at night.

However, incapable of escaping his nature, he was soon enough running from pitchforks back into the water after depleting the cattle and then moving onto the farmers themselves.

That evening was no different, spotting a ship on the horizon and rushing towards it. Within minutes, he was catching sight of the people onboard, smiling with sharp teeth and an aim to seduce and kill.

When Isabella first heard the haunting melody of the siren's song she didn't realize what it was.

It was only after she saw a handful of the crew piling to one side, her own husband included, that she clued in.

Alberto, meanwhile, had been manning the helm when the song caught his ear. Thankfully, he had had enough sense to abandon the wheel and run to the edge.

Isabella seized Alberto by the collar of his shirt and thrust him away from the edge of the ship. She stared out over the inky black sea, lips pursed.

@sword-and-sorrow

[italian-blood-brother]

"Certainly," said Marco. "She treats us very well. I don't know if you've noticed, but I'm sort of a screw up. She has never once reprimanded me physically like other captains have."

At Alex's second question, Marco cocked his head. "I don't know," he said truthfully. "I've never seen her tempted by a man. She must be a very strong woman."

[sword-and-sorrow]

Alexander raised a brow with an exaggerated, “you? A screwup? I think as long as you keep yourself upright, you’re doing quite well,” before letting out a small laugh.

“I feel offence at that, I’m the type who’s good at tempting others. For example, could I tempt you to elaborate on that? In all of your time onboard, she’s never been tempted by a man?”

“I was under the impression that she was married, and I not correct? Furthermore, no children onboard?”

[alberto-the-security-guard]

Marco lowered his voice to a whisper. "She's the most faithful wife I've ever known. I would say she and Alberto must be soulmates the way they only have eyes for each other, but once they were married they stopped acting close at all. Furthermore, no, no children. Bella -Captain- doesn't want any."

[sword-and-sorrow]

Alexander leaned in as if he were interested-he was flighty, not rude-before pulling back with a simple, “oh, alright.”

As the spell over Marco broke, the siren was marching through the crowds until he reached Isabella with a sing song, “I know your secret, why you weren’t affected by my song and need all of that extra space in bed. Why you don’t eat with the crew, and your eyes light up when other women are mentioned.”

Summoning up all of his breath, he practically shouted, “you’re pregnant! with a baby girl!” as he pointed at Isabella, grinning.

Proud in thinking that he discovered her secret, the siren rocked back and forth gracefully before lowering his voice with a, “don’t worry, won’t tell your husband about this, I know it’s a…touchy subject.”

[ciao-bella-ciao-bella]

Bella stared down at him with fire in her eyes.

"I am not pregnant," she barked. "You don't just say that to a woman."

Alberto saw the pair from across the deck. He saw Bella towering over Alex, eyes flashing, and he started towards them wanting to avoid a catastrophe. When he heard Bella's proclamation he snorted involuntarily, and her gaze turned to him.

"Cabin. Now." Bella was not asking. And it was unclear whether she was talking to Alex or Alberto.

[sword-and-sorrow]

Alexander didn’t understand that he wasn’t supposed to ask that, that chapter of human etiquette yet unread. However, he knew what it looked like when someone was angry, which is why he immediately looked down and nodded.

Offering Isabella the ability to say that she was asserting dominance, Alexander silent for the first time in a while, he looked over the side of the ship the entire time he was being motioned towards the cabin.

However, he didn’t dive overboard; he was too intrigued by the people onboard who didn’t follow common traditions, and he wasn’t going to pass that opportunity up.

The siren allowed himself to look around the cabin once more when he was inside, cooing softly at the trinkets he found and reaching almost as if to put them inside his pockets.

“You know it’s a crime to hide pretty things, right? When you do that, they’re not pretty anymore.”

“…I’d say the same goes for living things, in case you were planning on killing someone in this cabin for suggesting something that makes sense.”

[ciao-bella-ciao-bella]

"She's not going to hurt you," Alberto said softly. He placed a soothing hand on his wife's shoulder and gazed into her eyes with a soft, "Hey. He doesn't understand."

Bella's hard glare softened. She sighed. She put her face in the palm of her hand. "He needs to get his human experience apart from me," she said. "I can't deal with this. I'm the only woman on board, I can't deal with this from him. Take him into town at our next port for the day or something. Show him some other human beings. Then let him ask me things, once he's learned how to talk to people."

Alberto turned to Alex. "Is that alright?" he asked. "You might like it, a change of scenery."

[sword-and-sorrow]

Alexander had seen intimacy before, in physical forms, but he wasn’t used to anything beyond that. When he witnessed the way Isabella and Alberto interacted, both weaving in soothing intentions even while arguing, he almost didn’t process anything else.

It was only when Alberto turned to him that he nodded with wide eyes and a, “if others are like you and your wife, I would do anything to see them. I’ll take notes, be able to be one of you by the end of the day.”

The siren practically squealed at the prospect of entering towns he’d heard so much about. He tried to enter one once but was soon enough chased out by someone who recognised him. Therefore, it had been a hidden dream ever since.

He settled for moving closer to Alberto, mouth moving a thousand times an hour as he asked questions ranging from, “why do you use coins for things when you can just grab and run?” to, “what is a market, and how do I get one?”

It was obvious that Alexander was excited, already having moved on to pointing at things around the room with, “can I get one of those? How do I get it? Where do I get it?” before looking at Isabella to make sure that she wasn’t still angry.

[alberto-the-security-guard]

Isabella looked tired more than anything. She rubbed her forehead with one palm and shut her eyes.

Alberto turned fully toward Alex. "Tomorrow," he said, "when we dock, come meet me on the main deck. I'll go out with you. I will answer all of your questions, alright?"

[sword-and-sorrow]

Alexander was excited enough that he nodded with a rushed out, “yes!!” instead of thanking Alberto for the opportunity or at least trying to seem put together and suave.

It was starting to become obvious that his job was more so a role than a lifestyle, with Alexander finding more interest in beautiful things than people. In not wanting to dash his chances of seeing such things, he quickly bid Isabella and Alberto a, “splendid night, lovebirds!” before he was slipping out the door.

Knocking on their door at the ass-crack of dawn, Alexander already looked more than prepared for the day, wide eyed and smiling innocently.

“We’re docking soon, and you said to meet you when it happens-is it human custom to sleep this late? Every woman who took me into her arms usually left afterwards if she didn’t…well, if she made it!”

[alberto-the-security-guard]

Alberto raised an eyebrow.

"I wasn't sleeping, I was packing," he murmured self-conciously. "You keep your money in different pockets so you're harder to steal from."

He stepped out of the room, adjusting his bag on his shoulder.

"Alright, are you ready?"

[sword-and-sorrow]

Alexander was already leading the way, ignoring the other sailors onboard watching him leave the ship. In fact, he tended to ignore most people who looked at him until he needed something.

It wasn’t that he didn’t like the attention, there was simply too much of it all the time. Furthermore, he hated how often it persuaded him to slip into another persona of less clothing, more flirting, and higher pitched singing meant to penetrate defences.

Although the town was just beginning to wake up, Alexander still found joy in watching all of it. Itching to take notes, he instead turned to Alberto every so often to ask him to explain things that seemed to be common sense. Furthermore, never having any money on him, he instead traded pretty baubles stolen off of those he lured in for more shiny things.

[alberto-the-security-guard]

As they walked through the slowly rousing town, Alberto passed Alex his coat.

"I want you to wear this with the collar flipped up," he said softly. "Your gills are visible and I don't want people to give you any trouble."

[sword-and-sorrow]

As if confused on why anybody would care about Alexander when there were far more beautiful objects and experiences than him, the siren didn’t even hesitate before shaking his head.

Choosing to instead walk faster as if daring Alberto to ask him again, the siren tilted his head back and allowed the sounds of the town awaking to wash over him. It was only towards the middle of the afternoon when he finally began to notice more people looking at him, and not in the way he was used to.

However, still as stubborn as ever, he ignored the sailor’s request and kept moving forward, determined to find something as aesthetically pleasing as him.

[alberto-the-security-guard]

Alberto followed him as closely as he could.

"Slow down," he said. "Come here. I need something from this area, come and see."

[sword-and-sorrow]

It was then that the siren finally turned, interest piqued at the thought of Alberto needing something from him. Usually, when he was needed, it was for something shallow or because the asker was entranced.

Therefore, he found himself nodding and following the man’s gaze; doing his best to not grab at anything and appear respectful, Alexander instead cooed over a few shiny trinkets before his attention was drawn to Alberto again.

[ciao-bella-ciao-bella]

Alberto pulled him toward a stall that sold an assortment of secondhand trinkets.

"I'm looking for something specific," he murmured. "Not sure what but I'll know it when I see it."

He sifted through the piles, turning things over to inspect them.

"Pick something," he said. "I'll get it for you as a gift."

[sword-and-sorrow]

Alexander immediately looked up with a, “oh, that’s alright, I already have all of this!” before showing how many stolen trinkets were stuffed in his pockets. The siren didn’t even understand that he wasn’t supposed to simply take things, mind temporarily overpowered by shiny things and jewels every single time.

However, when he noticed Alberto’s face fall, he offered to, “return it, all of it!” while also knowing that was a complete lie. He was a siren after all, not afraid to bare his sharp teeth and claws over his new territory.

[ciao-bella-ciao-bella]

"No, no that's alright," whispered Alberto with his face in his hands. "Just put it away, now. Hide it."

He wasn't upset that Alex had stolen. He was mortified that Alex didn't know how to keep it hidden, showing it brazenly for everyone to see.

"Stand there with your hands on your pockets," he said softly, and he returned to look for what he needed.

[sword-and-sorrow]

Alexander did just that, despite hating being told what to do. However, that didn’t stop him from eventually growing bored and wandering over to talk to the first group of people he saw. Not aware that they were traders…of sorts, he chirped out a few responses to their questions before growing closer in the same way birds did to the mouths of alligators.

The siren thought he was safe, his siren spell usually only impacting women or those who presented as such. Therefore, he wasn’t sure why he felt the hairs on his arms rise when they all watched him speak or looked him over near constantly. Alexander wasn’t one to admit weakness though, which is why he ignored Alberto calling his name and continued to converse with them and show off his trinkets.

[alberto-the-security-guard]

By the time Alberto noticed Alex's new audience, he was almost too late. He rushed to his side, putting his arms out in front of him.

"Gentlemen," he said. "I'm afraid I need to steal my friend. We're going, Alex." He hoped that would be enough.

[sword-and-sorrow]

Almost as if caught in a game of tug of war with him as the rope, Alexander felt both parties start to tug at him amidst the crowds of people swarming them both.

Although his job relied on it, he wasn’t keen on being touched when unnecessary; however, he also adored attention which is why he murmured, “gentlemen…one at a time, plenty of me to go around” and then had to dodge a slap from the group of traders on the left.

He didn’t yet sense the danger, grinning at the group of men and then Alberto as if all would end well and the crowds around them all simply wanted to witness good conversation.

[alberto-the-security-guard]

"Alex," hissed Alberto. "We're going. Now."

He reached out his hand for Alex to take, trying desperately to lead him away from the men with daggers in their gaze.

"Any issue you have with him, you can take up with me," he said finally.

[sword-and-sorrow]

Alexander didn’t pay attention to what was going on, too busy in soaking up the uneasiness of the crowd, until the word ‘sold’ was being used in relation to somebody. As the siren looked up into the eyes of one of the men asking Alberto how much money would suffice for…him, Alexander’s mood shifted.

Suddenly taking a step back, he realised what Alberto had been trying to protect him from. However polite he wanted to seem though, even amidst this, that flew out the window within a few seconds.

The second one of the men was grabbing at Alberto, presumably for a brawl, Alexander closed his eyes and then opened them to only see red. The claws and sharp teeth that he saw tearing into flesh didn’t seem to belong to him, nor did the rush of adrenaline and pure glee over the hunt.

However, it was his hands that ripped through skin and his ears that heard the screaming of those watching and involved. He wasn’t even sure what prompted him to stop nor when most of the crowd had already ran away.

[alberto-the-security-guard]

It was Alberto that stopped him finally, calling out, "Stop, stop, they're already dead!" as he cast his arms around Alex like a fishing net and tried to pull him off.

That's when he noticed that Alex had sustained injuries himself throughout the fight.

"Oh fuck, you're bleeding," he said as he let go. He didn't want to further Alex's wounds.

He looked around wildly, eyes searching for watchmen or anyone else for that matter. "We have to get out of here, now," he hissed, extending a hand for Alex to grab instead. "We have to go back to the ship. Please, Alex."

[sword-and-sorrow]

Breathing hard as he looked around wide eyed at the few brave people who stayed for the entire spectacle, Alexander didn’t even know what to say. When he finally found the words, it was a soft, “I don’t even remember doing that” followed by a hard swallow.

The siren didn’t grab Alberto’s hand, not wanting to soil something so clean and delicate with blood. However, he nodded his understanding and began running alongside him. Although he was much slower than the other man, used to swimming rather than letting his feet hit pavement, he still managed to get back onboard the ship.

Alexander was still thrilled at the chance he’d been given to hunt and rip apart, but he was also smart enough to feign shame. Hanging his head ever so slightly, he pretended to not look at the crew.

In reality, he was daring them to look upon him, teeth still sharp and clothing stained with what could be their blood if they bothered him. It wasn’t often that the siren strayed from sweet melodies and demure charm. Therefore, any absence of that was welcome.

[alberto-the-security-guard]

"Alex," Alberto whispered once they were back on board. "Come with me, alright? I'm going to patch you up in my cabin. You're hurt, please let me help."

Although the crew gazed at him in horror, Alberto was blind to the blood that was not Alex's. He could see that the siren has been wounded, and that was all that mattered to him.

[sword-and-sorrow]

Alexander looked up for long enough to meet Alberto’s eye and nod. Furthermore, once they were out of sight, he brightened up and appeared unaffected by what happened earlier. Flitting around the room and grabbing at things, the only signifier that not all was stable was the anxiety within his eyes.

Eventually tiring enough to sit in front of Alberto, he pointed at himself with a, “you don’t have to patch me up, sailor. I’ve already healed. It’s sweet though, how much you care. I’m going to take it as that instead of you longing to touch me- after all, that’s never on a straight man’s mind.”

“Straight man to…siren, this is all medical touch,” he added before leaning over to grab Alberto’s supplies and tending to the sailor’s injuries that had been caused when he’d been grabbed earlier.

Fussing over bruises with a soft cooing, Alexander finished by running a hand over the man’s cheek before stepping back.

“There, you’re ready to wander back into your wife’s and crew’s loving arms. I won’t even tell a soul that you didn’t patch yourself up. I know how much pride male humans take in self sufficiency.”

[alberto-the-security-guard]

Alberto protested softly at first, trying to crane his neck to get a better look at Alexander's wounds. When he finally gave in and let Alex tend to him, his eyes wandered the siren still, trying to meet his gaze and soothe his anxiety.

When Alex finished and drew away, Alberto reached out a gentle hand as if offering it to him.

"Let me draw you a bath," he said softly. "I'll bring you some clean clothes and you can get washed up away from prying eyes. You rescued us both, siren, and that's not lost on me."

[sword-and-sorrow]

Alexander didn’t take his hand nor his offer, explaining that, “I bathe in the ocean, as is right. Also, sailor, I think I’ve overstayed my welcome. Your crew fears me, and as much as I enjoy seeing mutiny, I like my song to be the cause.”

Then, leaning in to place his free hand on Alberto’s cheek, he whispered, “I don’t like it when people extend kindness to me. I’m not sure if you’ve ever been told stories about sirens, but they’re true. If you’re looking for the appreciation of a man, look to taverns and not the sea.”

Drawing back, he only continued to try and hammer down his point, pulling up his lip to show sharp teeth.

“I’m not sure whether you’re too kind for this world or foolish. It plagues me more-so than your captain and her distaste for me.”

[alberto-the-security-guard]

"You have not overstayed your welcome," Alberto said softly. "My crew doesn't know you. They wouldn't fear you if they knew you half as well as I do and I don't even know you half as well as I would like."

Alberto took a slow step closer. He reached for Alex's hand again but he didn't touch him first. "Meanwhile, my wife doesn't hate you. You make her nervous but if you give her time she'll grow as fond of you as I am growing. You saved my life today, Alex. That means something to both her and I. You should let us begin to repay you. Bathe so that you can eat supper with us tonight in our cabin. I'll bring you some more of my clothes to wear, alright?"

[sword-and-sorrow]

Stepping back as if engaged in some elaborate dance with Alberto, he found himself nodding. Alexander himself was stubborn but understood sailors to be even more so. Not commenting on Isabella nor how eager Alberto looked to have him around, he spoke with a casual, “I wouldn’t ever wear the clothes of a sailor, I’m too beautiful for that. No, I’ll look around and simply grab what I see fit. You wouldn’t put burlap on a royal’s carriage.”

“Furthermore, I don’t eat, sailor. However, I’ll sit at the table with yourself and your wife and make light conversation. If it makes you feel better, I won’t provoke either of you, and I’ll steer clear of your crew until you deem it fit for me to be seen.”

[alberto-the-security-guard]

Alberto didn't insist on anything further.

He smiled at Alex before moving past him to draw him a bath in a tub at the back of the cabin. He left him with sweet-smelling soaps and plenty of warm water and told him which drawers belonged to him.

"Anything you want is yours," he said. "I'm going to go see Bella now, alright? Take your time."

[sword-and-sorrow]

When Alexander finally did emerge from the room half an hour later, it was with the promise that he didn’t snoop around and cleaned up after himself. Furthermore, when he tied his hair up and didn’t have any powder or kohl lining his face, he looked almost human.

Humming appreciatively at Alberto before thanking him, he patted the sailor’s cheek with a casual, “let’s not tell your wife I wasted precious soap and water, alright? It wouldn’t be the worst secret you’re keeping from her.”

Then moving out the way before the sailor could ask him what he meant, he sauntered into the cabin and laid eyes on Isabella. Mouth forming a half smile, he uttered a, “fancy seeing you here…” before insisting that she sit down before him.

“I’m a new man, no more comments on your life or looks-however, you could do with brushing your hair.”

[ciao-bella-ciao-bella]

Isabella's lips formed a terse smile. At least he was trying. Her shoulders relaxed as she pulled out a chair for Alex and sat down herself.

"You're looking well," she said. "Alberto tells me that you had some trouble in town today."

[sword-and-sorrow]

Alexander looked to Alberto when she said that as if silently asking how much he could reveal. When the siren didn’t receive a response, he settled on, “trouble is temporary, and I’m a gracious man” and a polite smile.

Making sure to sit up straight and be on his best behavior lest Isabella still had the notion of throwing him overboard, it didn’t take long for him to fail. The second they were both seated, he started chattering away, throwing his energy into hand movements as he told stories about suitors that weren’t suited for any dinner table.

However, soon enough recognising his mistake, he paused and added a small, “but that’s for another time.” Feeling that showing shame was apology enough for a creature that never expressed any, he didn’t outwardly apologise.

[ciao-bella-ciao-bella]

Bella, however, did not seem put out for once. Actually leaning in and listening attentively, even cracking a smile now and again, she protested when Alex appeared to back down.

"No no," she said. "That was just getting interesting! I know first hand what animals sailors can be, please let me know how this story ends siren."

On the other hand, Alberto's face was pink. He was staring intently into his supper, playing with his potatos with his fork.

[sword-and-sorrow]

Alexander didn’t even notice Alberto, too desperate for an audience after days of going without. When she inquired about the end of his tale, he didn’t hesitate to respond with a casual, “I showed sailors that we are alike in at least one way; I became an animal as well, and it turns out my teeth and resolve are sharper than theirs.”

He looked almost wild when he gripped the table to tell her that, eyes flashing and lips cracked in a sharp smile. However, with the blink of an eye he was back to being a man, elbows off the table and sitting straight.

“Your husband tells me trade with your ship and others is going well-you simply must tell me how you’ve done so. Also…the dinner looks wonderful, my compliments to the chef.”

Secretly, he wanted to tell her that he didn’t give a shit about trading nor quality of food. However, he knew sailors found small talk interesting, and therefore should adapt to that.

[sword-and-sorrow]

Shuonun traipsed off stage with a grin as big as his face plastered on. He was completely and utterly wiped out as he crashed into the arms of his agent.

"Alex, can't you hear them?" he gasped out. "They're still screaming out there. My name. Over and over. My name. Holy shit. I see spots. I need a drink."

Shuonun and Alex had been business partners for a couple of years. Shuonun was the face of the operation, and to his fans he was practically a god, but he was nothing without Alex to advocate for him, to sort out his contracts, to organize the tours where his fans could throw themselves at him in glorious fits of insane devotion.

He had never voiced it before, but the man was his own personal hero.

And he was easy on the eyes too.

Alexander didn’t say much, tensing up as Shuonun crashed into him. Even though he mourned the loss of the crispness of his suit now that the taller man had wrinkled it, he didn’t comment on it.

Shuonun at the moment was one of the biggest names not only in Hollywood but practically worldwide, and Alexander didn’t take jealousy in that. Instead, he simply did his job and tilted his head down whenever someone recognised him from a press conference or video that Alexander kept advising his client against.

Motioning for one of the stage hands to find Shuonun some water, the brand he liked to be exact, he then motioned to another to get the car. Although they weren’t in view of any fans, he still knew their ability to somehow sneak backstage.

It had happened countless times by now, usually a crazed individual claiming they’d name their child after the man if he’d sign an autograph. To everyone, Shuonun was a god, and his voice the answer to all.

Shaking the thought of Shuonun possibly being in danger, Alexander mumbled something before speaking up with a, “we were supposed to be on the road by now…you can’t do oncores every time, your next set of fans will be…upset that you’re late.”

Alexander wanted to use stronger words than that, rip into Shuonun, but he didn’t; he was paid handsomely to work for the star, and he’d known him before fame.

@hellachaotic

[hellachaotic]

Shuonun chuckled softly.

"I would, but I'm afraid my life didn't start until I walked through that door and saw you," he said. "Before then, nothing matters."

With his free hand, he intertwined his fingers with Alex's slowly.

[sword-and-sorrow]

Alexander almost froze up when Shuonun grabbed his hand, about to shove the star off with an awkward, “the joke’s over, let’s go home.”

However, what instead happened was that he leaned in with a casual, “I like a man who’s easily impressed with the small touches, allows me to blow more than his mind quicker.”

There was no way to know if Alexander was still playing the game, a certain apathy behind his eyes but sympathy in his motions. Furthermore, when he leaned even closer to lightly brush Shuonun’s hair out of his face, it was more than he’d touched the star in months.

[hellachaotic]

Shuonun leaned into his touch in a way that was anything but subtle. His eyes fluttered closed and when he did open them it was to gaze into Alex's with a small smirk.

"Can we go somewhere a bit more... private, do you think?"

[sword-and-sorrow]

Alexander looked away for a moment as if trying to break away from Shuonun’s sudden spell on him. However, he was using all of his will to stay upright which is why he murmured back, “If you’re into climbing in the backseat of a car that doesn’t belong to me, you’re in luck.”

When he rose from his seat and straightened out out his shirt, Alexander did so with a glance at Shuonun. It wasn’t particularly long, staring out from under his eyelashes, but it had depth in it. He knew that they were both walking a fine line but that they were both performers at heart.

[hellachaotic]

Shuonun rose to his feet soon after, half helping Alex and half leaning on him all the way to the door.

Once they exited into the cool night, Shuonun felt the chill instantly. The bar had been so warm. He took off his jacket and draped it around Alex's shoulders, fumbling for his car keys.

[sword-and-sorrow]

It was then that he finally turned to Shuonun with a soft, “what are we doin’ here?…this isn’t…right. This isn’t a game anymore, is it.” As he spoke, he refused to look at the taller man, eyes falling to the warm street lamp as if at any moment it would turn into an angel with righteous advice.

However, when nothing came to save him, he realised for the countless time he’d have to make his own decision. Learning against the car, he rubbed at the ridge of his nose, swallowed hard, and dug his heels in.

“If I were to kiss you, I wouldn’t want it to be with the taste of fuckin’ Jack Daniels in your mouth. I think I deserve more than that, for puttin’ up with you over the years.”

Knowing that sounded harsh, he quickly added, “I knew you’d get cold eventually and then hungry, so I stuck an extra sweatshirt and granola bar in the backseat when we were leaving.”

“Also, I already called an Uber for the both of us, shouldn’t be drivin’.”

[ciao-bella-ciao-bella]

Alexander knew the costs of being a siren, needing to constantly be on the move without any place to call home. In fact, he’d tried regular life for a while, blending in with the town folk and ignoring questions about his eyes that glowed at night.

However, incapable of escaping his nature, he was soon enough running from pitchforks back into the water after depleting the cattle and then moving onto the farmers themselves.

That evening was no different, spotting a ship on the horizon and rushing towards it. Within minutes, he was catching sight of the people onboard, smiling with sharp teeth and an aim to seduce and kill.

When Isabella first heard the haunting melody of the siren's song she didn't realize what it was.

It was only after she saw a handful of the crew piling to one side, her own husband included, that she clued in.

Alberto, meanwhile, had been manning the helm when the song caught his ear. Thankfully, he had had enough sense to abandon the wheel and run to the edge.

Isabella seized Alberto by the collar of his shirt and thrust him away from the edge of the ship. She stared out over the inky black sea, lips pursed.

@sword-and-sorrow

[italian-blood-brother]

"Certainly," said Marco. "She treats us very well. I don't know if you've noticed, but I'm sort of a screw up. She has never once reprimanded me physically like other captains have."

At Alex's second question, Marco cocked his head. "I don't know," he said truthfully. "I've never seen her tempted by a man. She must be a very strong woman."

[sword-and-sorrow]

Alexander raised a brow with an exaggerated, “you? A screwup? I think as long as you keep yourself upright, you’re doing quite well,” before letting out a small laugh.

“I feel offence at that, I’m the type who’s good at tempting others. For example, could I tempt you to elaborate on that? In all of your time onboard, she’s never been tempted by a man?”

“I was under the impression that she was married, and I not correct? Furthermore, no children onboard?”

[alberto-the-security-guard]

Marco lowered his voice to a whisper. "She's the most faithful wife I've ever known. I would say she and Alberto must be soulmates the way they only have eyes for each other, but once they were married they stopped acting close at all. Furthermore, no, no children. Bella -Captain- doesn't want any."

[sword-and-sorrow]

Alexander leaned in as if he were interested-he was flighty, not rude-before pulling back with a simple, “oh, alright.”

As the spell over Marco broke, the siren was marching through the crowds until he reached Isabella with a sing song, “I know your secret, why you weren’t affected by my song and need all of that extra space in bed. Why you don’t eat with the crew, and your eyes light up when other women are mentioned.”

Summoning up all of his breath, he practically shouted, “you’re pregnant! with a baby girl!” as he pointed at Isabella, grinning.

Proud in thinking that he discovered her secret, the siren rocked back and forth gracefully before lowering his voice with a, “don’t worry, won’t tell your husband about this, I know it’s a…touchy subject.”

[ciao-bella-ciao-bella]

Bella stared down at him with fire in her eyes.

"I am not pregnant," she barked. "You don't just say that to a woman."

Alberto saw the pair from across the deck. He saw Bella towering over Alex, eyes flashing, and he started towards them wanting to avoid a catastrophe. When he heard Bella's proclamation he snorted involuntarily, and her gaze turned to him.

"Cabin. Now." Bella was not asking. And it was unclear whether she was talking to Alex or Alberto.

[sword-and-sorrow]

Alexander didn’t understand that he wasn’t supposed to ask that, that chapter of human etiquette yet unread. However, he knew what it looked like when someone was angry, which is why he immediately looked down and nodded.

Offering Isabella the ability to say that she was asserting dominance, Alexander silent for the first time in a while, he looked over the side of the ship the entire time he was being motioned towards the cabin.

However, he didn’t dive overboard; he was too intrigued by the people onboard who didn’t follow common traditions, and he wasn’t going to pass that opportunity up.

The siren allowed himself to look around the cabin once more when he was inside, cooing softly at the trinkets he found and reaching almost as if to put them inside his pockets.

“You know it’s a crime to hide pretty things, right? When you do that, they’re not pretty anymore.”

“…I’d say the same goes for living things, in case you were planning on killing someone in this cabin for suggesting something that makes sense.”

[ciao-bella-ciao-bella]

"She's not going to hurt you," Alberto said softly. He placed a soothing hand on his wife's shoulder and gazed into her eyes with a soft, "Hey. He doesn't understand."

Bella's hard glare softened. She sighed. She put her face in the palm of her hand. "He needs to get his human experience apart from me," she said. "I can't deal with this. I'm the only woman on board, I can't deal with this from him. Take him into town at our next port for the day or something. Show him some other human beings. Then let him ask me things, once he's learned how to talk to people."

Alberto turned to Alex. "Is that alright?" he asked. "You might like it, a change of scenery."

[sword-and-sorrow]

Alexander had seen intimacy before, in physical forms, but he wasn’t used to anything beyond that. When he witnessed the way Isabella and Alberto interacted, both weaving in soothing intentions even while arguing, he almost didn’t process anything else.

It was only when Alberto turned to him that he nodded with wide eyes and a, “if others are like you and your wife, I would do anything to see them. I’ll take notes, be able to be one of you by the end of the day.”

The siren practically squealed at the prospect of entering towns he’d heard so much about. He tried to enter one once but was soon enough chased out by someone who recognised him. Therefore, it had been a hidden dream ever since.

He settled for moving closer to Alberto, mouth moving a thousand times an hour as he asked questions ranging from, “why do you use coins for things when you can just grab and run?” to, “what is a market, and how do I get one?”

It was obvious that Alexander was excited, already having moved on to pointing at things around the room with, “can I get one of those? How do I get it? Where do I get it?” before looking at Isabella to make sure that she wasn’t still angry.

[alberto-the-security-guard]

Isabella looked tired more than anything. She rubbed her forehead with one palm and shut her eyes.

Alberto turned fully toward Alex. "Tomorrow," he said, "when we dock, come meet me on the main deck. I'll go out with you. I will answer all of your questions, alright?"

[sword-and-sorrow]

Alexander was excited enough that he nodded with a rushed out, “yes!!” instead of thanking Alberto for the opportunity or at least trying to seem put together and suave.

It was starting to become obvious that his job was more so a role than a lifestyle, with Alexander finding more interest in beautiful things than people. In not wanting to dash his chances of seeing such things, he quickly bid Isabella and Alberto a, “splendid night, lovebirds!” before he was slipping out the door.

Knocking on their door at the ass-crack of dawn, Alexander already looked more than prepared for the day, wide eyed and smiling innocently.

“We’re docking soon, and you said to meet you when it happens-is it human custom to sleep this late? Every woman who took me into her arms usually left afterwards if she didn’t…well, if she made it!”

[alberto-the-security-guard]

Alberto raised an eyebrow.

"I wasn't sleeping, I was packing," he murmured self-conciously. "You keep your money in different pockets so you're harder to steal from."

He stepped out of the room, adjusting his bag on his shoulder.

"Alright, are you ready?"

[sword-and-sorrow]

Alexander was already leading the way, ignoring the other sailors onboard watching him leave the ship. In fact, he tended to ignore most people who looked at him until he needed something.

It wasn’t that he didn’t like the attention, there was simply too much of it all the time. Furthermore, he hated how often it persuaded him to slip into another persona of less clothing, more flirting, and higher pitched singing meant to penetrate defences.

Although the town was just beginning to wake up, Alexander still found joy in watching all of it. Itching to take notes, he instead turned to Alberto every so often to ask him to explain things that seemed to be common sense. Furthermore, never having any money on him, he instead traded pretty baubles stolen off of those he lured in for more shiny things.

[alberto-the-security-guard]

As they walked through the slowly rousing town, Alberto passed Alex his coat.

"I want you to wear this with the collar flipped up," he said softly. "Your gills are visible and I don't want people to give you any trouble."

[sword-and-sorrow]

As if confused on why anybody would care about Alexander when there were far more beautiful objects and experiences than him, the siren didn’t even hesitate before shaking his head.

Choosing to instead walk faster as if daring Alberto to ask him again, the siren tilted his head back and allowed the sounds of the town awaking to wash over him. It was only towards the middle of the afternoon when he finally began to notice more people looking at him, and not in the way he was used to.

However, still as stubborn as ever, he ignored the sailor’s request and kept moving forward, determined to find something as aesthetically pleasing as him.

[alberto-the-security-guard]

Alberto followed him as closely as he could.

"Slow down," he said. "Come here. I need something from this area, come and see."

[sword-and-sorrow]

It was then that the siren finally turned, interest piqued at the thought of Alberto needing something from him. Usually, when he was needed, it was for something shallow or because the asker was entranced.

Therefore, he found himself nodding and following the man’s gaze; doing his best to not grab at anything and appear respectful, Alexander instead cooed over a few shiny trinkets before his attention was drawn to Alberto again.

[ciao-bella-ciao-bella]

Alberto pulled him toward a stall that sold an assortment of secondhand trinkets.

"I'm looking for something specific," he murmured. "Not sure what but I'll know it when I see it."

He sifted through the piles, turning things over to inspect them.

"Pick something," he said. "I'll get it for you as a gift."

[sword-and-sorrow]

Alexander immediately looked up with a, “oh, that’s alright, I already have all of this!” before showing how many stolen trinkets were stuffed in his pockets. The siren didn’t even understand that he wasn’t supposed to simply take things, mind temporarily overpowered by shiny things and jewels every single time.

However, when he noticed Alberto’s face fall, he offered to, “return it, all of it!” while also knowing that was a complete lie. He was a siren after all, not afraid to bare his sharp teeth and claws over his new territory.

[ciao-bella-ciao-bella]

"No, no that's alright," whispered Alberto with his face in his hands. "Just put it away, now. Hide it."

He wasn't upset that Alex had stolen. He was mortified that Alex didn't know how to keep it hidden, showing it brazenly for everyone to see.

"Stand there with your hands on your pockets," he said softly, and he returned to look for what he needed.

[sword-and-sorrow]

Alexander did just that, despite hating being told what to do. However, that didn’t stop him from eventually growing bored and wandering over to talk to the first group of people he saw. Not aware that they were traders…of sorts, he chirped out a few responses to their questions before growing closer in the same way birds did to the mouths of alligators.

The siren thought he was safe, his siren spell usually only impacting women or those who presented as such. Therefore, he wasn’t sure why he felt the hairs on his arms rise when they all watched him speak or looked him over near constantly. Alexander wasn’t one to admit weakness though, which is why he ignored Alberto calling his name and continued to converse with them and show off his trinkets.

[alberto-the-security-guard]

By the time Alberto noticed Alex's new audience, he was almost too late. He rushed to his side, putting his arms out in front of him.

"Gentlemen," he said. "I'm afraid I need to steal my friend. We're going, Alex." He hoped that would be enough.

[sword-and-sorrow]

Almost as if caught in a game of tug of war with him as the rope, Alexander felt both parties start to tug at him amidst the crowds of people swarming them both.

Although his job relied on it, he wasn’t keen on being touched when unnecessary; however, he also adored attention which is why he murmured, “gentlemen…one at a time, plenty of me to go around” and then had to dodge a slap from the group of traders on the left.

He didn’t yet sense the danger, grinning at the group of men and then Alberto as if all would end well and the crowds around them all simply wanted to witness good conversation.

[alberto-the-security-guard]

"Alex," hissed Alberto. "We're going. Now."

He reached out his hand for Alex to take, trying desperately to lead him away from the men with daggers in their gaze.

"Any issue you have with him, you can take up with me," he said finally.

[sword-and-sorrow]

Alexander didn’t pay attention to what was going on, too busy in soaking up the uneasiness of the crowd, until the word ‘sold’ was being used in relation to somebody. As the siren looked up into the eyes of one of the men asking Alberto how much money would suffice for…him, Alexander’s mood shifted.

Suddenly taking a step back, he realised what Alberto had been trying to protect him from. However polite he wanted to seem though, even amidst this, that flew out the window within a few seconds.

The second one of the men was grabbing at Alberto, presumably for a brawl, Alexander closed his eyes and then opened them to only see red. The claws and sharp teeth that he saw tearing into flesh didn’t seem to belong to him, nor did the rush of adrenaline and pure glee over the hunt.

However, it was his hands that ripped through skin and his ears that heard the screaming of those watching and involved. He wasn’t even sure what prompted him to stop nor when most of the crowd had already ran away.

[alberto-the-security-guard]

It was Alberto that stopped him finally, calling out, "Stop, stop, they're already dead!" as he cast his arms around Alex like a fishing net and tried to pull him off.

That's when he noticed that Alex had sustained injuries himself throughout the fight.

"Oh fuck, you're bleeding," he said as he let go. He didn't want to further Alex's wounds.

He looked around wildly, eyes searching for watchmen or anyone else for that matter. "We have to get out of here, now," he hissed, extending a hand for Alex to grab instead. "We have to go back to the ship. Please, Alex."

[sword-and-sorrow]

Breathing hard as he looked around wide eyed at the few brave people who stayed for the entire spectacle, Alexander didn’t even know what to say. When he finally found the words, it was a soft, “I don’t even remember doing that” followed by a hard swallow.

The siren didn’t grab Alberto’s hand, not wanting to soil something so clean and delicate with blood. However, he nodded his understanding and began running alongside him. Although he was much slower than the other man, used to swimming rather than letting his feet hit pavement, he still managed to get back onboard the ship.

Alexander was still thrilled at the chance he’d been given to hunt and rip apart, but he was also smart enough to feign shame. Hanging his head ever so slightly, he pretended to not look at the crew.

In reality, he was daring them to look upon him, teeth still sharp and clothing stained with what could be their blood if they bothered him. It wasn’t often that the siren strayed from sweet melodies and demure charm. Therefore, any absence of that was welcome.

[alberto-the-security-guard]

"Alex," Alberto whispered once they were back on board. "Come with me, alright? I'm going to patch you up in my cabin. You're hurt, please let me help."

Although the crew gazed at him in horror, Alberto was blind to the blood that was not Alex's. He could see that the siren has been wounded, and that was all that mattered to him.

[sword-and-sorrow]

Alexander looked up for long enough to meet Alberto’s eye and nod. Furthermore, once they were out of sight, he brightened up and appeared unaffected by what happened earlier. Flitting around the room and grabbing at things, the only signifier that not all was stable was the anxiety within his eyes.

Eventually tiring enough to sit in front of Alberto, he pointed at himself with a, “you don’t have to patch me up, sailor. I’ve already healed. It’s sweet though, how much you care. I’m going to take it as that instead of you longing to touch me- after all, that’s never on a straight man’s mind.”

“Straight man to…siren, this is all medical touch,” he added before leaning over to grab Alberto’s supplies and tending to the sailor’s injuries that had been caused when he’d been grabbed earlier.

Fussing over bruises with a soft cooing, Alexander finished by running a hand over the man’s cheek before stepping back.

“There, you’re ready to wander back into your wife’s and crew’s loving arms. I won’t even tell a soul that you didn’t patch yourself up. I know how much pride male humans take in self sufficiency.”

[alberto-the-security-guard]

Alberto protested softly at first, trying to crane his neck to get a better look at Alexander's wounds. When he finally gave in and let Alex tend to him, his eyes wandered the siren still, trying to meet his gaze and soothe his anxiety.

When Alex finished and drew away, Alberto reached out a gentle hand as if offering it to him.

"Let me draw you a bath," he said softly. "I'll bring you some clean clothes and you can get washed up away from prying eyes. You rescued us both, siren, and that's not lost on me."

[sword-and-sorrow]

Alexander didn’t take his hand nor his offer, explaining that, “I bathe in the ocean, as is right. Also, sailor, I think I’ve overstayed my welcome. Your crew fears me, and as much as I enjoy seeing mutiny, I like my song to be the cause.”

Then, leaning in to place his free hand on Alberto’s cheek, he whispered, “I don’t like it when people extend kindness to me. I’m not sure if you’ve ever been told stories about sirens, but they’re true. If you’re looking for the appreciation of a man, look to taverns and not the sea.”

Drawing back, he only continued to try and hammer down his point, pulling up his lip to show sharp teeth.

“I’m not sure whether you’re too kind for this world or foolish. It plagues me more-so than your captain and her distaste for me.”

[alberto-the-security-guard]

"You have not overstayed your welcome," Alberto said softly. "My crew doesn't know you. They wouldn't fear you if they knew you half as well as I do and I don't even know you half as well as I would like."

Alberto took a slow step closer. He reached for Alex's hand again but he didn't touch him first. "Meanwhile, my wife doesn't hate you. You make her nervous but if you give her time she'll grow as fond of you as I am growing. You saved my life today, Alex. That means something to both her and I. You should let us begin to repay you. Bathe so that you can eat supper with us tonight in our cabin. I'll bring you some more of my clothes to wear, alright?"

[sword-and-sorrow]

Stepping back as if engaged in some elaborate dance with Alberto, he found himself nodding. Alexander himself was stubborn but understood sailors to be even more so. Not commenting on Isabella nor how eager Alberto looked to have him around, he spoke with a casual, “I wouldn’t ever wear the clothes of a sailor, I’m too beautiful for that. No, I’ll look around and simply grab what I see fit. You wouldn’t put burlap on a royal’s carriage.”

“Furthermore, I don’t eat, sailor. However, I’ll sit at the table with yourself and your wife and make light conversation. If it makes you feel better, I won’t provoke either of you, and I’ll steer clear of your crew until you deem it fit for me to be seen.”

[alberto-the-security-guard]

Alberto didn't insist on anything further.

He smiled at Alex before moving past him to draw him a bath in a tub at the back of the cabin. He left him with sweet-smelling soaps and plenty of warm water and told him which drawers belonged to him.

"Anything you want is yours," he said. "I'm going to go see Bella now, alright? Take your time."

[sword-and-sorrow]

When Alexander finally did emerge from the room half an hour later, it was with the promise that he didn’t snoop around and cleaned up after himself. Furthermore, when he tied his hair up and didn’t have any powder or kohl lining his face, he looked almost human.

Humming appreciatively at Alberto before thanking him, he patted the sailor’s cheek with a casual, “let’s not tell your wife I wasted precious soap and water, alright? It wouldn’t be the worst secret you’re keeping from her.”

Then moving out the way before the sailor could ask him what he meant, he sauntered into the cabin and laid eyes on Isabella. Mouth forming a half smile, he uttered a, “fancy seeing you here…” before insisting that she sit down before him.

“I’m a new man, no more comments on your life or looks-however, you could do with brushing your hair.”

[ciao-bella-ciao-bella]

Isabella's lips formed a terse smile. At least he was trying. Her shoulders relaxed as she pulled out a chair for Alex and sat down herself.

"You're looking well," she said. "Alberto tells me that you had some trouble in town today."

[ciao-bella-ciao-bella]

Beverly hadn’t been a captain for long, and frankly, it happened through a series of events chalked up to, ‘massive accident’ by those who knew her. She didn’t even want to sail the seas, thinking boat life too dirty and the warnings against it all the more real as each day passed.

However, she was also determined which is why she was still onboard and when not panicking by herself in a broom closet, ruling with a set of commandments and iron fist.

Her crew didn’t quite fear her, she was too generous, but understood that doing their jobs was important lest they face a perfectly timed and devastating, “I’m not mad, just disappointed…”

Isabella was also determined and ill-suited for the expectations set before her. As a siren her life's purpose was to catch and kill sailors but she hated everything about sailors. They were rough men with liquor on their breaths and calloused hands. When she sang to them they grabbed her in ways she didn't care for.

Technically she was supposed to use her thrall to reproduce but she always chickened out before she got there. Instead she simply robbed them and left them to drown.

Her undersea cave was littered with trinkets and cold, hard, gold.

She wanted more.

@sword-and-sorrow

[ciao-bella-ciao-bella]

As Judas stared up at Jesus, tears in her eyes, she grasped at her and tried desperately to meet her gaze. As she stumbled to her feet, she reached for Beverly's hands and drew close to her.

"It's you that I want," she said. "And I don't just want you. I don't understand it but I want to be near you until the day I die. I wish I knew more than that and I promise I will learn."

Bella had eyes only for Beverly in that moment. There was no one else.

[sword-and-sorrow]

Shuonun traipsed off stage with a grin as big as his face plastered on. He was completely and utterly wiped out as he crashed into the arms of his agent.

"Alex, can't you hear them?" he gasped out. "They're still screaming out there. My name. Over and over. My name. Holy shit. I see spots. I need a drink."

Shuonun and Alex had been business partners for a couple of years. Shuonun was the face of the operation, and to his fans he was practically a god, but he was nothing without Alex to advocate for him, to sort out his contracts, to organize the tours where his fans could throw themselves at him in glorious fits of insane devotion.

He had never voiced it before, but the man was his own personal hero.

And he was easy on the eyes too.

Alexander didn’t say much, tensing up as Shuonun crashed into him. Even though he mourned the loss of the crispness of his suit now that the taller man had wrinkled it, he didn’t comment on it.

Shuonun at the moment was one of the biggest names not only in Hollywood but practically worldwide, and Alexander didn’t take jealousy in that. Instead, he simply did his job and tilted his head down whenever someone recognised him from a press conference or video that Alexander kept advising his client against.

Motioning for one of the stage hands to find Shuonun some water, the brand he liked to be exact, he then motioned to another to get the car. Although they weren’t in view of any fans, he still knew their ability to somehow sneak backstage.

It had happened countless times by now, usually a crazed individual claiming they’d name their child after the man if he’d sign an autograph. To everyone, Shuonun was a god, and his voice the answer to all.

Shaking the thought of Shuonun possibly being in danger, Alexander mumbled something before speaking up with a, “we were supposed to be on the road by now…you can’t do oncores every time, your next set of fans will be…upset that you’re late.”

Alexander wanted to use stronger words than that, rip into Shuonun, but he didn’t; he was paid handsomely to work for the star, and he’d known him before fame.

@hellachaotic

[hellachaotic]

Shuonun chuckled softly.

"I would, but I'm afraid my life didn't start until I walked through that door and saw you," he said. "Before then, nothing matters."

With his free hand, he intertwined his fingers with Alex's slowly.

[sword-and-sorrow]

Alexander almost froze up when Shuonun grabbed his hand, about to shove the star off with an awkward, “the joke’s over, let’s go home.”

However, what instead happened was that he leaned in with a casual, “I like a man who’s easily impressed with the small touches, allows me to blow more than his mind quicker.”

There was no way to know if Alexander was still playing the game, a certain apathy behind his eyes but sympathy in his motions. Furthermore, when he leaned even closer to lightly brush Shuonun’s hair out of his face, it was more than he’d touched the star in months.

[hellachaotic]

Shuonun leaned into his touch in a way that was anything but subtle. His eyes fluttered closed and when he did open them it was to gaze into Alex's with a small smirk.

"Can we go somewhere a bit more... private, do you think?"

[sword-and-sorrow]

Alexander looked away for a moment as if trying to break away from Shuonun’s sudden spell on him. However, he was using all of his will to stay upright which is why he murmured back, “If you’re into climbing in the backseat of a car that doesn’t belong to me, you’re in luck.”

When he rose from his seat and straightened out out his shirt, Alexander did so with a glance at Shuonun. It wasn’t particularly long, staring out from under his eyelashes, but it had depth in it. He knew that they were both walking a fine line but that they were both performers at heart.

[sword-and-sorrow]

Shuonun traipsed off stage with a grin as big as his face plastered on. He was completely and utterly wiped out as he crashed into the arms of his agent.

"Alex, can't you hear them?" he gasped out. "They're still screaming out there. My name. Over and over. My name. Holy shit. I see spots. I need a drink."

Shuonun and Alex had been business partners for a couple of years. Shuonun was the face of the operation, and to his fans he was practically a god, but he was nothing without Alex to advocate for him, to sort out his contracts, to organize the tours where his fans could throw themselves at him in glorious fits of insane devotion.

He had never voiced it before, but the man was his own personal hero.

And he was easy on the eyes too.

Alexander didn’t say much, tensing up as Shuonun crashed into him. Even though he mourned the loss of the crispness of his suit now that the taller man had wrinkled it, he didn’t comment on it.

Shuonun at the moment was one of the biggest names not only in Hollywood but practically worldwide, and Alexander didn’t take jealousy in that. Instead, he simply did his job and tilted his head down whenever someone recognised him from a press conference or video that Alexander kept advising his client against.

Motioning for one of the stage hands to find Shuonun some water, the brand he liked to be exact, he then motioned to another to get the car. Although they weren’t in view of any fans, he still knew their ability to somehow sneak backstage.

It had happened countless times by now, usually a crazed individual claiming they’d name their child after the man if he’d sign an autograph. To everyone, Shuonun was a god, and his voice the answer to all.

Shaking the thought of Shuonun possibly being in danger, Alexander mumbled something before speaking up with a, “we were supposed to be on the road by now…you can’t do oncores every time, your next set of fans will be…upset that you’re late.”

Alexander wanted to use stronger words than that, rip into Shuonun, but he didn’t; he was paid handsomely to work for the star, and he’d known him before fame.

@hellachaotic

[hellachaotic]

Shuonun chuckled softly.

"I would, but I'm afraid my life didn't start until I walked through that door and saw you," he said. "Before then, nothing matters."

With his free hand, he intertwined his fingers with Alex's slowly.

[sword-and-sorrow]

Alexander almost froze up when Shuonun grabbed his hand, about to shove the star off with an awkward, “the joke’s over, let’s go home.”

However, what instead happened was that he leaned in with a casual, “I like a man who’s easily impressed with the small touches, allows me to blow more than his mind quicker.”

There was no way to know if Alexander was still playing the game, a certain apathy behind his eyes but sympathy in his motions. Furthermore, when he leaned even closer to lightly brush Shuonun’s hair out of his face, it was more than he’d touched the star in months.

[sword-and-sorrow]

Shuonun traipsed off stage with a grin as big as his face plastered on. He was completely and utterly wiped out as he crashed into the arms of his agent.

"Alex, can't you hear them?" he gasped out. "They're still screaming out there. My name. Over and over. My name. Holy shit. I see spots. I need a drink."

Shuonun and Alex had been business partners for a couple of years. Shuonun was the face of the operation, and to his fans he was practically a god, but he was nothing without Alex to advocate for him, to sort out his contracts, to organize the tours where his fans could throw themselves at him in glorious fits of insane devotion.

He had never voiced it before, but the man was his own personal hero.

And he was easy on the eyes too.

Alexander didn’t say much, tensing up as Shuonun crashed into him. Even though he mourned the loss of the crispness of his suit now that the taller man had wrinkled it, he didn’t comment on it.

Shuonun at the moment was one of the biggest names not only in Hollywood but practically worldwide, and Alexander didn’t take jealousy in that. Instead, he simply did his job and tilted his head down whenever someone recognised him from a press conference or video that Alexander kept advising his client against.

Motioning for one of the stage hands to find Shuonun some water, the brand he liked to be exact, he then motioned to another to get the car. Although they weren’t in view of any fans, he still knew their ability to somehow sneak backstage.

It had happened countless times by now, usually a crazed individual claiming they’d name their child after the man if he’d sign an autograph. To everyone, Shuonun was a god, and his voice the answer to all.

Shaking the thought of Shuonun possibly being in danger, Alexander mumbled something before speaking up with a, “we were supposed to be on the road by now…you can’t do oncores every time, your next set of fans will be…upset that you’re late.”

Alexander wanted to use stronger words than that, rip into Shuonun, but he didn’t; he was paid handsomely to work for the star, and he’d known him before fame.

@hellachaotic

[hellachaotic]

"I love your house," he whispered with a wink.

He glanced at the wall lined with photographs of Alex and his siblings but he didn't make it obvious. Still, it warmed his heart just how proud Alex's mother seemed of all her children.

Including Alex's twin.

Shuonun stood and laid a hand on his shoulder. "Ready when you are," he said. "I'll even get one for your dog, if you'll allow him to eat it. I know, though, you take better care of him than you do yourself."

[sword-and-sorrow]

Alexander once more shrugged it off with a warning of, “I’m your agent, Møller” before smiling ever so slightly at the mention of his dog. Knowing Shuonun was being kind about it “to get on my good side, which won’t work”, he walked off and returned with the unruly beast.

Although efforts to get the dog to heel failed, the shorter man still managed to run it to the car, kiss his mother goodbye, and fend off questions from others in the house. When his twin was brought up, Alexander almost stumbled with his words but caught himself at the last minute.

It was only once Alexander was driving that he finally turned to Shuonun again with a small, “thank you for not looking or commenting on the photos on the wall. They’re so freaking old, I’m not sure why nobody gets rid of them, puts new ones up.”

“Thanks for…meeting with my mom”, he added, choosing that wording instead of ‘dealing’ since throughout it all, he still had respect for his elders.

[hellachaotic]

"I love your mother," he said. "I love your family. You know that."

Shuonun turned his gaze out the window as Alex drove them down the streets he had roamed in his childhood.

"This whole area looks different," he murmured.

[sword-and-sorrow]

Alexander let out a hum of agreement as he let his eyes drift from the wheel to the road for a moment. Once they were parked in front of the abandoned gas station, Alexander leaning against the front of the car and shooing his dog away from his burger, he cleared his throat and spoke.

“You haven’t talked about going to a bar and getting drunk in a day-sobriety looks good on you, not sure what withdrawal looks like though.”

“I didn’t tell your family about it, by the way. I figured you wouldn’t want your parents lecturing you on it making you promise to stop drinking.”

The agent wanted to add that Shuonun’s power was breaking promises, but he felt that the joke wouldn’t land, and now was not the time to be straightforward.

[hellachaotic]

"Thank you," he sighed. "Appreciate it. You of all people should understand why I- Nevermind."

Shuonun's face flushed and he immediately shoved half his burger into his face to avoid continuing his sentence. He glanced back at Alex's dog out of the corner of his eye but did not react.

[sword-and-sorrow]

Alexander pretended to be preoccupied by his food as well, tossing a few chunks of meat to his dog distractedly. When he finally did look up, it was to turn to Shuonun with a sudden, “do you want to go drink? Do you want to get cheap alcohol and complain about drunk people doing karaoke with me?”

He looked almost hopeful when he asked that, as if keeping that question locked up the entire time they’d been back home. Although Alexander wasn’t at all an alcoholic and was almost always sober, he couldn’t resist falling on it when especially lost.

[hellachaotic]

"Oh my god. Please."

Shuonun needed very little convincing in any case to have a drink, especially not if Aldx was permitting it. "I know exactly the place, too," he said. "The dive right on the main road."

[sword-and-sorrow]

Shaking his head with a quiet, “too many people will recognise you, we need to go somewhere with people that don’t care who you are” that reminded them both of what the star meant to the world, Alexander then sighed.

Mood slightly dampened after his realisation, he silently got back in the car. After dropping Crow off at Shuonun’s household with a promise that he wouldn’t be long and apologies to his parents, they were finally off.

At first, when they stepped into something resembling a bar, Alexander wanted to leave. However, even cheap beer could mask the worst of smells and loudest of sounds. Furthermore, the prospect of winning at pool for the countless time against Shuonun would always be appealing. They were on their fourth game when the shorter man caught sight of another making their way over to the pool table.

Within a few extra seconds, a woman was leaning up against Shuonun with a soft, “not enough men in this bar that look like they could blow away with the wind- you’re a miracle to behold” and a small smile. It seemed that Shuonun really was something, because it only took a mere ten minutes before more people were making their way over and expressing their thoughts to the star.

Thankfully, near nobody knew who he really was, simply seeing him as something different and shinier than the other patrons at the bar.

[hellachaotic]

Shuonun was right at home in a dingy dive setting. Playing pool against Alex and drinking inexpensive alcohol brought him right back to the glory days.

Shuonun was not the only one getting attention. A few girls and a couple nervous guys made their way up to Alex, complimenting him and offering to play the next game of pool with him.

[sword-and-sorrow]

Normally, Alexander would be bold enough with a few drinks in his system and pool victories to mumble an excuse and leave whoever drew his attention. However, he was too focused on subtly motioning away Shuonun’s suitors to notice anybody.

He wasn’t even sure why he was doing it, knowing the star was in no danger here let alone needed his agent. Nevertheless, that didn’t stop countless, “he’s not interested” or “find another”’s from leaving his mouth.

It was only when he was starting to lose track of drinks that he became less subtle, leaning over to one of Shuonun’s suitors with a light, “he’s already with another, and I’m not into threesomes at the moment” and tight smile.

He wasn’t even sure if Shuonun had heard him, already turning back to win another game of pool. Raising his brows at the loser, he then laughed with a, “if you’re as bad at pool as relationships, you’ll never find anybody.”

[hellachaotic]

Shuonun would have normally chastised Alex for being such an asshole but he too was otherwise preoccupied.

Every time someone approached Alex, he would motion them away with either the jerk of his thumb or an outstretched hand. On a few occasions, he did place a hand on Alex's shoulder pointedly.

[sword-and-sorrow]

Alexander finally realised the pressure on his shoulder wasn’t his mind and well-kept sobriety running away from him. Looking over to see Shuonun’s hand on it right after he’d talked away yet another suitor, he couldn’t help but laugh.

Even with his senses altered, he wasn’t stupid. He’d seen enough celebrity party exchanges to know what was going on. However, rather than express his thoughts to Shuonun, he simply straightened up and brought up a conversation from weeks ago.

“Remember what we talked about in the hotel room?…I’m going to go get another drink at the bar, and I want you to uhm…try that move on me. Try and convince me to go home with you.”

He didn’t even give the other man time to think, the agent weaving his way through the crowds and to the bar. Normally, he would’ve stopped drinking by now, sunglasses on and tie straightened. However, he was at home, exhausted from shooing off Shuonun’s suitors, and numb.

[hellachaotic]

Shuonun's throat went dry as he watched Alex walk away from him. He followed slowly, giving him time to sit down and get comfortable. He also wanted a moment to regain his confidence.

As soon as he had, he dropped into the seat next to Alex.

"Hello there, stranger."

[sword-and-sorrow]

Alexander looked up from his phone with a small smile, looking at Shunonun as if they’d just met instead of growing up together and working as one. However, behind that look was a sort of comfort, like the shorter man wouldn’t make fun of his friend if he failed at a task.

Sucking in air through his teeth, he then looked around with a light, “a lot of chairs nearby, but you probably know that.”

[hellachaotic]

"Not a lot of chairs get me this close to you. What're you drinking?"

Shuonun leaned in as he spoke, batting his eyelashes subtly. He reached out for the bartender and ordered two of Alex's poison. He slid one over to him.

[sword-and-sorrow]

“Whatever gives me the courage to talk to you” he murmured back before clinking his glass against Shuonun’s and sipping from it.

Pretending it was a fine wine rather than flammable liquor, Alexander held it in his free hand while turning to Shuonun.

“Tell me about yourself, I want to know your story how you would tell it. I don’t care what others would say, you’re in front of me, not your mom or best friend.”

[ciao-bella-ciao-bella]

Alexander knew the costs of being a siren, needing to constantly be on the move without any place to call home. In fact, he’d tried regular life for a while, blending in with the town folk and ignoring questions about his eyes that glowed at night.

However, incapable of escaping his nature, he was soon enough running from pitchforks back into the water after depleting the cattle and then moving onto the farmers themselves.

That evening was no different, spotting a ship on the horizon and rushing towards it. Within minutes, he was catching sight of the people onboard, smiling with sharp teeth and an aim to seduce and kill.

When Isabella first heard the haunting melody of the siren's song she didn't realize what it was.

It was only after she saw a handful of the crew piling to one side, her own husband included, that she clued in.

Alberto, meanwhile, had been manning the helm when the song caught his ear. Thankfully, he had had enough sense to abandon the wheel and run to the edge.

Isabella seized Alberto by the collar of his shirt and thrust him away from the edge of the ship. She stared out over the inky black sea, lips pursed.

@sword-and-sorrow

[italian-blood-brother]

"Certainly," said Marco. "She treats us very well. I don't know if you've noticed, but I'm sort of a screw up. She has never once reprimanded me physically like other captains have."

At Alex's second question, Marco cocked his head. "I don't know," he said truthfully. "I've never seen her tempted by a man. She must be a very strong woman."

[sword-and-sorrow]

Alexander raised a brow with an exaggerated, “you? A screwup? I think as long as you keep yourself upright, you’re doing quite well,” before letting out a small laugh.

“I feel offence at that, I’m the type who’s good at tempting others. For example, could I tempt you to elaborate on that? In all of your time onboard, she’s never been tempted by a man?”

“I was under the impression that she was married, and I not correct? Furthermore, no children onboard?”

[alberto-the-security-guard]

Marco lowered his voice to a whisper. "She's the most faithful wife I've ever known. I would say she and Alberto must be soulmates the way they only have eyes for each other, but once they were married they stopped acting close at all. Furthermore, no, no children. Bella -Captain- doesn't want any."

[sword-and-sorrow]

Alexander leaned in as if he were interested-he was flighty, not rude-before pulling back with a simple, “oh, alright.”

As the spell over Marco broke, the siren was marching through the crowds until he reached Isabella with a sing song, “I know your secret, why you weren’t affected by my song and need all of that extra space in bed. Why you don’t eat with the crew, and your eyes light up when other women are mentioned.”

Summoning up all of his breath, he practically shouted, “you’re pregnant! with a baby girl!” as he pointed at Isabella, grinning.

Proud in thinking that he discovered her secret, the siren rocked back and forth gracefully before lowering his voice with a, “don’t worry, won’t tell your husband about this, I know it’s a…touchy subject.”

[ciao-bella-ciao-bella]

Bella stared down at him with fire in her eyes.

"I am not pregnant," she barked. "You don't just say that to a woman."

Alberto saw the pair from across the deck. He saw Bella towering over Alex, eyes flashing, and he started towards them wanting to avoid a catastrophe. When he heard Bella's proclamation he snorted involuntarily, and her gaze turned to him.

"Cabin. Now." Bella was not asking. And it was unclear whether she was talking to Alex or Alberto.

[sword-and-sorrow]

Alexander didn’t understand that he wasn’t supposed to ask that, that chapter of human etiquette yet unread. However, he knew what it looked like when someone was angry, which is why he immediately looked down and nodded.

Offering Isabella the ability to say that she was asserting dominance, Alexander silent for the first time in a while, he looked over the side of the ship the entire time he was being motioned towards the cabin.

However, he didn’t dive overboard; he was too intrigued by the people onboard who didn’t follow common traditions, and he wasn’t going to pass that opportunity up.

The siren allowed himself to look around the cabin once more when he was inside, cooing softly at the trinkets he found and reaching almost as if to put them inside his pockets.

“You know it’s a crime to hide pretty things, right? When you do that, they’re not pretty anymore.”

“…I’d say the same goes for living things, in case you were planning on killing someone in this cabin for suggesting something that makes sense.”

[ciao-bella-ciao-bella]

"She's not going to hurt you," Alberto said softly. He placed a soothing hand on his wife's shoulder and gazed into her eyes with a soft, "Hey. He doesn't understand."

Bella's hard glare softened. She sighed. She put her face in the palm of her hand. "He needs to get his human experience apart from me," she said. "I can't deal with this. I'm the only woman on board, I can't deal with this from him. Take him into town at our next port for the day or something. Show him some other human beings. Then let him ask me things, once he's learned how to talk to people."

Alberto turned to Alex. "Is that alright?" he asked. "You might like it, a change of scenery."

[sword-and-sorrow]

Alexander had seen intimacy before, in physical forms, but he wasn’t used to anything beyond that. When he witnessed the way Isabella and Alberto interacted, both weaving in soothing intentions even while arguing, he almost didn’t process anything else.

It was only when Alberto turned to him that he nodded with wide eyes and a, “if others are like you and your wife, I would do anything to see them. I’ll take notes, be able to be one of you by the end of the day.”

The siren practically squealed at the prospect of entering towns he’d heard so much about. He tried to enter one once but was soon enough chased out by someone who recognised him. Therefore, it had been a hidden dream ever since.

He settled for moving closer to Alberto, mouth moving a thousand times an hour as he asked questions ranging from, “why do you use coins for things when you can just grab and run?” to, “what is a market, and how do I get one?”

It was obvious that Alexander was excited, already having moved on to pointing at things around the room with, “can I get one of those? How do I get it? Where do I get it?” before looking at Isabella to make sure that she wasn’t still angry.

[alberto-the-security-guard]

Isabella looked tired more than anything. She rubbed her forehead with one palm and shut her eyes.

Alberto turned fully toward Alex. "Tomorrow," he said, "when we dock, come meet me on the main deck. I'll go out with you. I will answer all of your questions, alright?"

[sword-and-sorrow]

Alexander was excited enough that he nodded with a rushed out, “yes!!” instead of thanking Alberto for the opportunity or at least trying to seem put together and suave.

It was starting to become obvious that his job was more so a role than a lifestyle, with Alexander finding more interest in beautiful things than people. In not wanting to dash his chances of seeing such things, he quickly bid Isabella and Alberto a, “splendid night, lovebirds!” before he was slipping out the door.

Knocking on their door at the ass-crack of dawn, Alexander already looked more than prepared for the day, wide eyed and smiling innocently.

“We’re docking soon, and you said to meet you when it happens-is it human custom to sleep this late? Every woman who took me into her arms usually left afterwards if she didn’t…well, if she made it!”

[alberto-the-security-guard]

Alberto raised an eyebrow.

"I wasn't sleeping, I was packing," he murmured self-conciously. "You keep your money in different pockets so you're harder to steal from."

He stepped out of the room, adjusting his bag on his shoulder.

"Alright, are you ready?"

[sword-and-sorrow]

Alexander was already leading the way, ignoring the other sailors onboard watching him leave the ship. In fact, he tended to ignore most people who looked at him until he needed something.

It wasn’t that he didn’t like the attention, there was simply too much of it all the time. Furthermore, he hated how often it persuaded him to slip into another persona of less clothing, more flirting, and higher pitched singing meant to penetrate defences.

Although the town was just beginning to wake up, Alexander still found joy in watching all of it. Itching to take notes, he instead turned to Alberto every so often to ask him to explain things that seemed to be common sense. Furthermore, never having any money on him, he instead traded pretty baubles stolen off of those he lured in for more shiny things.

[alberto-the-security-guard]

As they walked through the slowly rousing town, Alberto passed Alex his coat.

"I want you to wear this with the collar flipped up," he said softly. "Your gills are visible and I don't want people to give you any trouble."

[sword-and-sorrow]

As if confused on why anybody would care about Alexander when there were far more beautiful objects and experiences than him, the siren didn’t even hesitate before shaking his head.

Choosing to instead walk faster as if daring Alberto to ask him again, the siren tilted his head back and allowed the sounds of the town awaking to wash over him. It was only towards the middle of the afternoon when he finally began to notice more people looking at him, and not in the way he was used to.

However, still as stubborn as ever, he ignored the sailor’s request and kept moving forward, determined to find something as aesthetically pleasing as him.

[alberto-the-security-guard]

Alberto followed him as closely as he could.

"Slow down," he said. "Come here. I need something from this area, come and see."

[sword-and-sorrow]

It was then that the siren finally turned, interest piqued at the thought of Alberto needing something from him. Usually, when he was needed, it was for something shallow or because the asker was entranced.

Therefore, he found himself nodding and following the man’s gaze; doing his best to not grab at anything and appear respectful, Alexander instead cooed over a few shiny trinkets before his attention was drawn to Alberto again.

[ciao-bella-ciao-bella]

Alberto pulled him toward a stall that sold an assortment of secondhand trinkets.

"I'm looking for something specific," he murmured. "Not sure what but I'll know it when I see it."

He sifted through the piles, turning things over to inspect them.

"Pick something," he said. "I'll get it for you as a gift."

[sword-and-sorrow]

Alexander immediately looked up with a, “oh, that’s alright, I already have all of this!” before showing how many stolen trinkets were stuffed in his pockets. The siren didn’t even understand that he wasn’t supposed to simply take things, mind temporarily overpowered by shiny things and jewels every single time.

However, when he noticed Alberto’s face fall, he offered to, “return it, all of it!” while also knowing that was a complete lie. He was a siren after all, not afraid to bare his sharp teeth and claws over his new territory.

[ciao-bella-ciao-bella]

"No, no that's alright," whispered Alberto with his face in his hands. "Just put it away, now. Hide it."

He wasn't upset that Alex had stolen. He was mortified that Alex didn't know how to keep it hidden, showing it brazenly for everyone to see.

"Stand there with your hands on your pockets," he said softly, and he returned to look for what he needed.

[sword-and-sorrow]

Alexander did just that, despite hating being told what to do. However, that didn’t stop him from eventually growing bored and wandering over to talk to the first group of people he saw. Not aware that they were traders…of sorts, he chirped out a few responses to their questions before growing closer in the same way birds did to the mouths of alligators.

The siren thought he was safe, his siren spell usually only impacting women or those who presented as such. Therefore, he wasn’t sure why he felt the hairs on his arms rise when they all watched him speak or looked him over near constantly. Alexander wasn’t one to admit weakness though, which is why he ignored Alberto calling his name and continued to converse with them and show off his trinkets.

[alberto-the-security-guard]

By the time Alberto noticed Alex's new audience, he was almost too late. He rushed to his side, putting his arms out in front of him.

"Gentlemen," he said. "I'm afraid I need to steal my friend. We're going, Alex." He hoped that would be enough.

[sword-and-sorrow]

Almost as if caught in a game of tug of war with him as the rope, Alexander felt both parties start to tug at him amidst the crowds of people swarming them both.

Although his job relied on it, he wasn’t keen on being touched when unnecessary; however, he also adored attention which is why he murmured, “gentlemen…one at a time, plenty of me to go around” and then had to dodge a slap from the group of traders on the left.

He didn’t yet sense the danger, grinning at the group of men and then Alberto as if all would end well and the crowds around them all simply wanted to witness good conversation.

[alberto-the-security-guard]

"Alex," hissed Alberto. "We're going. Now."

He reached out his hand for Alex to take, trying desperately to lead him away from the men with daggers in their gaze.

"Any issue you have with him, you can take up with me," he said finally.

[sword-and-sorrow]

Alexander didn’t pay attention to what was going on, too busy in soaking up the uneasiness of the crowd, until the word ‘sold’ was being used in relation to somebody. As the siren looked up into the eyes of one of the men asking Alberto how much money would suffice for…him, Alexander’s mood shifted.

Suddenly taking a step back, he realised what Alberto had been trying to protect him from. However polite he wanted to seem though, even amidst this, that flew out the window within a few seconds.

The second one of the men was grabbing at Alberto, presumably for a brawl, Alexander closed his eyes and then opened them to only see red. The claws and sharp teeth that he saw tearing into flesh didn’t seem to belong to him, nor did the rush of adrenaline and pure glee over the hunt.

However, it was his hands that ripped through skin and his ears that heard the screaming of those watching and involved. He wasn’t even sure what prompted him to stop nor when most of the crowd had already ran away.

[alberto-the-security-guard]

It was Alberto that stopped him finally, calling out, "Stop, stop, they're already dead!" as he cast his arms around Alex like a fishing net and tried to pull him off.

That's when he noticed that Alex had sustained injuries himself throughout the fight.

"Oh fuck, you're bleeding," he said as he let go. He didn't want to further Alex's wounds.

He looked around wildly, eyes searching for watchmen or anyone else for that matter. "We have to get out of here, now," he hissed, extending a hand for Alex to grab instead. "We have to go back to the ship. Please, Alex."

[sword-and-sorrow]

Breathing hard as he looked around wide eyed at the few brave people who stayed for the entire spectacle, Alexander didn’t even know what to say. When he finally found the words, it was a soft, “I don’t even remember doing that” followed by a hard swallow.

The siren didn’t grab Alberto’s hand, not wanting to soil something so clean and delicate with blood. However, he nodded his understanding and began running alongside him. Although he was much slower than the other man, used to swimming rather than letting his feet hit pavement, he still managed to get back onboard the ship.

Alexander was still thrilled at the chance he’d been given to hunt and rip apart, but he was also smart enough to feign shame. Hanging his head ever so slightly, he pretended to not look at the crew.

In reality, he was daring them to look upon him, teeth still sharp and clothing stained with what could be their blood if they bothered him. It wasn’t often that the siren strayed from sweet melodies and demure charm. Therefore, any absence of that was welcome.

[alberto-the-security-guard]

"Alex," Alberto whispered once they were back on board. "Come with me, alright? I'm going to patch you up in my cabin. You're hurt, please let me help."

Although the crew gazed at him in horror, Alberto was blind to the blood that was not Alex's. He could see that the siren has been wounded, and that was all that mattered to him.

[sword-and-sorrow]

Alexander looked up for long enough to meet Alberto’s eye and nod. Furthermore, once they were out of sight, he brightened up and appeared unaffected by what happened earlier. Flitting around the room and grabbing at things, the only signifier that not all was stable was the anxiety within his eyes.

Eventually tiring enough to sit in front of Alberto, he pointed at himself with a, “you don’t have to patch me up, sailor. I’ve already healed. It’s sweet though, how much you care. I’m going to take it as that instead of you longing to touch me- after all, that’s never on a straight man’s mind.”

“Straight man to…siren, this is all medical touch,” he added before leaning over to grab Alberto’s supplies and tending to the sailor’s injuries that had been caused when he’d been grabbed earlier.

Fussing over bruises with a soft cooing, Alexander finished by running a hand over the man’s cheek before stepping back.

“There, you’re ready to wander back into your wife’s and crew’s loving arms. I won’t even tell a soul that you didn’t patch yourself up. I know how much pride male humans take in self sufficiency.”

[alberto-the-security-guard]

Alberto protested softly at first, trying to crane his neck to get a better look at Alexander's wounds. When he finally gave in and let Alex tend to him, his eyes wandered the siren still, trying to meet his gaze and soothe his anxiety.

When Alex finished and drew away, Alberto reached out a gentle hand as if offering it to him.

"Let me draw you a bath," he said softly. "I'll bring you some clean clothes and you can get washed up away from prying eyes. You rescued us both, siren, and that's not lost on me."

[sword-and-sorrow]

Alexander didn’t take his hand nor his offer, explaining that, “I bathe in the ocean, as is right. Also, sailor, I think I’ve overstayed my welcome. Your crew fears me, and as much as I enjoy seeing mutiny, I like my song to be the cause.”

Then, leaning in to place his free hand on Alberto’s cheek, he whispered, “I don’t like it when people extend kindness to me. I’m not sure if you’ve ever been told stories about sirens, but they’re true. If you’re looking for the appreciation of a man, look to taverns and not the sea.”

Drawing back, he only continued to try and hammer down his point, pulling up his lip to show sharp teeth.

“I’m not sure whether you’re too kind for this world or foolish. It plagues me more-so than your captain and her distaste for me.”

[alberto-the-security-guard]

"You have not overstayed your welcome," Alberto said softly. "My crew doesn't know you. They wouldn't fear you if they knew you half as well as I do and I don't even know you half as well as I would like."

Alberto took a slow step closer. He reached for Alex's hand again but he didn't touch him first. "Meanwhile, my wife doesn't hate you. You make her nervous but if you give her time she'll grow as fond of you as I am growing. You saved my life today, Alex. That means something to both her and I. You should let us begin to repay you. Bathe so that you can eat supper with us tonight in our cabin. I'll bring you some more of my clothes to wear, alright?"

[sword-and-sorrow]

Stepping back as if engaged in some elaborate dance with Alberto, he found himself nodding. Alexander himself was stubborn but understood sailors to be even more so. Not commenting on Isabella nor how eager Alberto looked to have him around, he spoke with a casual, “I wouldn’t ever wear the clothes of a sailor, I’m too beautiful for that. No, I’ll look around and simply grab what I see fit. You wouldn’t put burlap on a royal’s carriage.”

“Furthermore, I don’t eat, sailor. However, I’ll sit at the table with yourself and your wife and make light conversation. If it makes you feel better, I won’t provoke either of you, and I’ll steer clear of your crew until you deem it fit for me to be seen.”

[alberto-the-security-guard]

Alberto didn't insist on anything further.

He smiled at Alex before moving past him to draw him a bath in a tub at the back of the cabin. He left him with sweet-smelling soaps and plenty of warm water and told him which drawers belonged to him.

"Anything you want is yours," he said. "I'm going to go see Bella now, alright? Take your time."

[sword-and-sorrow]

When Alexander finally did emerge from the room half an hour later, it was with the promise that he didn’t snoop around and cleaned up after himself. Furthermore, when he tied his hair up and didn’t have any powder or kohl lining his face, he looked almost human.

Humming appreciatively at Alberto before thanking him, he patted the sailor’s cheek with a casual, “let’s not tell your wife I wasted precious soap and water, alright? It wouldn’t be the worst secret you’re keeping from her.”

Then moving out the way before the sailor could ask him what he meant, he sauntered into the cabin and laid eyes on Isabella. Mouth forming a half smile, he uttered a, “fancy seeing you here…” before insisting that she sit down before him.

“I’m a new man, no more comments on your life or looks-however, you could do with brushing your hair.”

[ciao-bella-ciao-bella]

Isabella's lips formed a terse smile. At least he was trying. Her shoulders relaxed as she pulled out a chair for Alex and sat down herself.

"You're looking well," she said. "Alberto tells me that you had some trouble in town today."