Spirits- A Chethan Story

🐚𝒞𝒽𝒶𝓅𝓉𝑒𝓇 𝟧🐚

Ethan stared at his dinner plate

He had been thinking about what happened earlier today when he and Chad were sitting at the cave. The internal conflict of him leaving the sea and staying with Chad weighed heavily on his mind. "Ethan, baby, eat your shrimp; the chiefs worked very hard on it." His mother, Mira, said it with a hint of concern in her voice. Ethan took his fork and picked up the shrimp and took a bite, but his mind was still preoccupied with the decision he had to make. The taste of the shrimp was lost on him as he contemplated the consequences of his choice, unsure of whether he could leave behind the life he had known underwater for a life on land with Chad.

He weighed the pros and cons, knowing that his decision would shape his future forever. As he pondered, Ethan couldn't help but think about the freedom and adventure that awaited him on land. The thought of exploring new places and experiencing life beyond the ocean's depths was enticing, but he also couldn't ignore the deep sense of belonging he felt in his underwater community. Okay, Ethan, what's wrong?" Wayne sighed, not wanting to see his son suffer any longer. Ethan didn't want to tell his father about Chad; his father stated clearly that he nor any other Caspian Sea resident should ever interact with humans.

Ethan struggled with conflicting emotions as he weighed the allure of the unknown against his father's stern warning. The forbidden friendship with Chad, a human, had opened his eyes to a world beyond the sea, but it also posed a risk to their entire community. Ethan feared the consequences of revealing his secret, torn between his longing for freedom and his deep-rooted sense of loyalty to his underwater home. "It's nothing, papa. I just need some time alone," Ethan replied, trying to hide the guilt in his voice. He knew that his father's warning was not without reason, but the connection he felt with Chad was undeniable. Ethan couldn't help but wonder if there was a way for humans and sea residents to coexist peacefully without jeopardizing their way of life.

The chiefs came into the room, sensing the tension in the air. They took Ethan's food to save it for him later. They knew that every time tensions ran high, Ethan would forget to eat. They also knew that Ethan would claim that he was full or wasn't hungry, but he'd often end up feeling weak and irritable and would come to the kitchen at night and eat something. Ethan swam back to his room, slowly closing the door, not having the energy to be down at the table with his family worried about him; he didn't want to burden them with his own problems. He collapsed onto his bed, feeling the weight of the tension weigh heavily on his shoulders. Ethan knew he needed to find a way to alleviate the stress that was consuming him before it took a toll on his physical and mental well-being.

There was a knock at the door. Ethan sighed, "Come in." Quinn came into the room and immediately noticed the exhaustion etched on Ethan's face. Concern filled her eyes as she approached him, understanding the weight he was carrying. Without saying a word, she sat down beside him, offering a comforting presence that spoke volumes. Ethan felt a glimmer of hope, knowing that he didn't have to face his struggles alone. "Hey, are you okay?" Quinn asked, coming to sit on Ethan's bed and putting a hand on his shoulder. Ethan looked up at Quinn, grateful for her concern. He mustered a weak smile and nodded, appreciating her gesture of support. The simple touch on his shoulder brought a sense of solace, reminding him that he had someone by his side in this difficult journey. "I'm fine, Quinne. Really," he reassured her, but deep down, he knew he was far from fine.

Ethan appreciated Quinn's presence and the comfort it brought him, but he couldn't shake the weight of his struggles. He felt a knot of worry tightening in his chest, unsure of how to express the depth of his pain to Quinn without burdening her. Ethan's struggles weighed heavily on his heart, and he couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt for hiding his true emotions from Quinn. He knew he needed to open up and let her in, but the fear of burdening her with his problems held him back. Despite his reassurance, Ethan silently hoped that Quinn would see through his facade and offer him the support he desperately needed. "Ethan I know about humans, so you don't need to hide it anymore." Ethan's eyes widened at Quinn's words, realizing that his secret was no longer safe. "I saw that you kept on swimming up there and hanging around the human with Anika as well," Quinn said with a knowing smile. Ethan looked worried and wondered how much Quinn had observed. He had always tried to keep his interactions with humans discreet, fearing the consequences of exposing his true nature. Ethan's mind raced, contemplating whether he should confess everything or continue to deny any involvement. He knew that revealing the truth could potentially shatter the trust they had built over the years.

"It's okay, Ethan. I know you want to go up there." Ethan's heart skipped a beat as he realized that Quinn had somehow figured out his secret desire to explore the human world. He felt a mix of relief and apprehension, unsure of how Quinn would react to his true intentions. Ethan took a deep breath, mustering the courage to open up about his yearning for adventure beyond their hidden realm. That's why I'm going to take you to see the sòsyè." Ethan looked up at her, confused. He knew that she was always scared of the sòsyè, so her wanting to go now made him confused. "Quinn, I thought you were afraid of the sòsyè," Ethan said, furrowing his brow in confusion. "Why do you suddenly want to go see it?" Quinn hesitated for a moment before answering, her eyes filled with determination. "I may have been scared before, but I trust you, Ethan. And if exploring the human world is what you truly desire, then I want to face my fears for you." He shook his head. "Quinn, it's really not worth it."

Quinn took Ethan's wrist and smiled. "Come on, Eth." The two made it out into the hallway. As they continued to swim, Ethan felt unsure but secure that Quinn was around to support him. He couldn't help but admire her bravery and unwavering loyalty. Deep down, he knew that with Quinn by his side, he was brushing his worries away like waves on a shore. He had finally had his answer to his decision and felt a sense of peace he hadn't felt in a long time.

Words: 1153 

Chapters done: 5/10

Might be one of the shorter chapters of the bunch lol

Date/Time updated: Sun, Sep 3 2023 7:58 pm

Update schedule for this story: Sundays at 8:00pm

Today's headcanon!

Richie goes up to the fire kingdom every friday to take Sam out on dates