˚₊‧꒰ა A Lost Man ໒꒱ ‧₊˚
⋆˚࿔ Greet the world with open arms... 𝜗𝜚˚⋆
╰─ ➛ Polites x Water Nymph! Reader [Gender natural]
╰─ ➛ Word count: 1.6k words
╰─ ➛ Story type: Fluff/Angst
╰─ ➛ My first Epic one shot for this month.... please enjoy. Just a note I kind of wanted to make this where Polites is still alive into the Circe saga. I thought it'd be cute if after the ship reck after ody opened the bag maybe Polites got separated from the rest for a bit, till the reader finds him and helps him find his way back to the crew, but with a little twist at the end. :]
꒰ ୨୧ ─ ・┈ ・ ─ ・┈ ─ ・┈ ─ ・┈ ꒱꒱
The sound of waves crashed over the sand as the sun placed a golden hue over the island. The cool feeling of water brushed up again Polites face as he slowly woke up the smell of salt and fish filling his nose as he sat up, the sound of the ocean's winds hit the forest in front of him with a rhythm like tunes as the noise filled his ears.
Slowly getting up, the taste of brittle and dirt sat in his mouth as he spat out little bits of sand that made its way inside. Gagging at the taste, Polites took a look around to fully examine his surroundings. His thoughts began to spiral with question. Where am I?... what happened to everyone else?... Were they alright after the attack? Shaking these thoughts away for now, he began aimlessly making his way into the forest.
Polites stepped into the forest’s embrace, the shadows closing around him like a secret too eager to be kept. The sun soon disappeared behind him as it took the only warmth and comfort he had. How long had it been? The moon was now high up looming its dark light over the island, the sound of crickets humming rang through the woods as every twig snapped beneath his sandals like an accusation, echoing too loud in the listening dark.
His throat burned as if the ocean’s salt still clung to his lungs, He needed to find water or some form of fruit fast. passing by a large willow tree he noticed a glimmer in the distance; the water rippled with life as the moon glazed over it. It called his name like a siren's song luring in passing sailors.
Picking up his pace he nearly stubbled just getting to the edge of the lake, falling on to his knees he quickly scooped up the water into his rough palms and started to drink the rich liquid as if it was a gift sent from the gods themselves. Distracted by the gift he didn't notice a shift in the ripples of the water, deep in the depths of the lake a figure stared right at him.
Their [E/C] eyes stared right up at him as their [H/L] [H/C] hair flowed freely in the water, slowly making their way to the top of the surface Polites slowly opened his eye to be met with shiny pair of jewels that seemingly made their way closer....and closer... till they were emerging from the water and looking right back in to his eyes face to face.
Polites’ pulse thundered in his ears as he found himself staring into eyes too radiant to belong to any mortal. They tilted their head, and the water bent closer to him, as though obeying their will. For a heartbeat, he could not tell if he knelt before a savior… or a predator cloaked in beauty.
Wind began to breeze through as if on cue, The willow branches bent toward them as if bowing, strands of hair tangled with reeds and lilies so seamlessly that Polites could not tell where the water ended and the nymph began, their skin was alluring, seductive yet dangerous. It faintly shown as light markings trailed over their {S/C] body, their scales faded into a deeper shade toward the ends of their elbows and fingers as they slowly crept up on to the grassy floor.
He just sat there in shock but entranced by their beauty, unable to look away, breath shallow as if the nymph pulled the air from his lungs with just on glance. A primal instinct might whisper danger, but thirst and awe silence it just as fast as his heartbeat. His exhaustion could make him question reality: “Was this the hand of salvation, or the dream of a dying man? one of these would either bring him salvation or a merciful death.
His thoughts were abrupted as a cold yet scalley hand grassed his, a small smile crept its way to their lips as a giggle erupted from their chest. A shallow yet soft tone interrupted the deathly silence around them as they soon broke it with their alluring voice.
"You drink from my waters... as though they are yours”
The words slid across the surface like ripples, soft yet heavy with accusation. Polites froze, his palms dripping as he turned toward the figure. The nymph’s eyes glowed faintly under the moonlight, too sharp, too knowing. Their smile was curved just enough to unsettle.
“Do you not know what becomes of mortals who steal from me?” the nymph whispered, their voice a lull of silk and steel. They drifted closer, their presence chilling the air. Polites’ heart hammered as the thought of unseen hands dragging him under flickered through his mind. He stumbled backward on the bank, the damp earth crumbling beneath his heels.
The nymph’s laughter broke the silence — light, bell-like, and utterly disarming. Their expression softened, the sinister curve melting into something almost playful.
“you should see your face,”
they teased, tilting their head as water dripped like pearls from their hair.
“So pale. So afraid. Do you think I would truly harm one so desperate?”
Polites exhaled, shaky, a flush of embarrassment rising in his cheeks. His fists clenched, though he could not tell if it was to fight or to steady himself.
“You… you were toying with me?”
The nymph leaned just close enough for him to see the faint shimmer of their skin beneath the moonlight, eyes glinting like jewels with mischief.
“Perhaps. Fear tastes as sweet as thirst, mortal. But rest easy”
they lifted a hand, scattering droplets across his face like cool rain
“I am not your end. Not tonight."
Polites wiped the cool droplets from his brow, his chest still rising fast from the scare. He swallowed hard, forcing his voice steady.
“I’m searching for my crew,” he said, his tone softer now, stripped of pride. “The men who were with me when we washed ashore. Have you seen them?”
The nymph tilted their head, eyes half-lidded as though weighing his words. For a long moment, they did not answer, only trailed their fingers through the surface of the water. Ripples spread outward in perfect circles, shimmering with moonlight.
“Lost sailors…” they mused, voice like a sigh carried by the reeds. “Yes. I have seen them.”
Polites’ breath caught. He stepped closer, almost into the water itself. “Where? Are they alive?”
A smile curved across the nymph’s lips gentle, but not entirely kind. “Alive… of a sort. Their laughter echoes still, though it is not their own. They have found company, hospitality. A palace waits for them in the heart of the island, its halls filled with wine and honeyed words. Its mistress is… generous.”
The name slid unspoken across Polites’ mind, chilling him as surely as the sea’s depths had
The nymph’s gaze lingered on him, watching the realization flicker in his eyes. “If you wish to find them, follow the path east. The trees will twist like serpents, guiding you to her gates. But take care, wanderer…” Their voice dipped lower, velvet and warning. “Not all who enter her home return with their shape unchanged.”
Polites’ mouth tightened, but he nodded, resolve hardening beneath his fear. “Thank you,” he murmured.
The nymph’s smile widened into something sharper, their eyes glinting like the moon on black water. They leaned close once more, voice a whisper that curled into his ear like mist.
“You drink from my waters… as though they are yours... yet you thought wrong mortal....~”
Well, this took longer to post then I thought it would, Alot has happened to me personally, so I didn't have the motivation to even want to continue this, But I don't want this to stop my passion for writing these stories for you guys. As of right now, my request will be closed until I start to post more and gain a crowd, so please stick around and just comment on what lovey man you would like to see a story on next! more info in my pinned post....little sneak peek on the next story idea Eurylochus x Wife reader who is Ody's sister! Also, tagging @syndyj bc this cutie was quite interested in reading this ^^ - <3
